Norway’s parliament summons ministers over Epstein-linked aid funds inquiry

Norway’s parliamentary Control and Constitutional Committee has called on current and former government ministers to testify in a hearing examining the misuse of foreign aid funds linked to the Epstein documents, Dagbladet reports.

The committee’s investigation follows revelations in newly released files tied to Jeffrey Epstein, raising concerns over potential abuse of power, misconduct, and mismanagement of development assistance. Jonas Andersen Sayed (Christian Democratic Party), the committee’s lead spokesperson, stated the probe was necessary to restore public trust.

“The disclosures in the Epstein documents raise serious questions about abuse of office, toxic workplace culture, and poor stewardship of aid funds. This is about confidence in the entire system,” Sayed said.

Among those summoned are Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labour) and current Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (Labour), alongside nine former foreign and development ministers from past governments. The list includes:

Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (Labour) Former Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt (Labour) Former Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide (Conservative) Former Foreign Minister Børge Brende (Conservative) Former Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labour) Development Minister Åsmund Grøver Aukrust (Labour) Former Development Minister Anne Beathe Tvinnereim (Centre) Former Development Minister Dag-Inge Ulstein (Christian Democratic) Former Development Minister Nikolai Astrup (Conservative) Former Development Minister Heikki Holmås (Socialist Left) Former Development Minister Erik Solheim (Socialist Left)

The inquiry will scrutinise Norway’s foreign service practices dating back to the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO. The committee’s decision comes after this year’s release of documents tied to Epstein exposed alleged ties between Norwegian aid funding and individuals connected to his network.