LONDON (AP) — A prince, an ambassador, senior diplomats, and top politicians in Europe have faced significant fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files, which were released by the U.S. Department of Justice. The revelations have caused a political and social upheaval, triggering investigations, career collapses, and severe public scrutiny across the continent.
Among those affected is former U.K. Ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson, who was dismissed from his post and is facing possible prison time. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is currently dealing with a leadership crisis as a result of Mandelson's appointment. Senior officials in Norway, Sweden, and Slovakia have also lost their positions due to their links with Epstein. Additionally, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles III, has lost his royal titles and taxpayer-funded residence.
Despite the significant fallout, none of the implicated individuals face allegations of sexual misconduct themselves. Their downfall is primarily attributed to their continued associations with Epstein following his conviction as a sex offender.
Mark Stephens, an international law expert, noted that Epstein had a propensity for collecting powerful connections, which now, with the public disclosure of evidence, has caused political tremors. He remarked, “The receipts are now in public, and some might wish they’d traveled less.”
The release of these documents was prompted by a bipartisan movement in the United States, fueled by the public's demand for transparency regarding Epstein’s network. However, unlike Europe, the U.S. has not encountered a significant accountability reckoning similar to what has unfolded across the Atlantic.
U.K. ramifications extend to former Prince Andrew, who had previously settled a lawsuit with one of Epstein’s victims for millions and faces ongoing pressure to testify in the U.S. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, has also seen her charity operations collapse.
Mandelson has endured scrutiny for downplaying his connections to Epstein, even calling him “my best pal” in 2003. New evidence reveals ongoing communication between them, even after Epstein’s 2008 prison term. The investigation into Mandelson includes allegations that he may have shared sensitive government information with Epstein.
Starmer has publicly apologized to the victims of Epstein and has committed to releasing documents that demonstrate Mandelson's deception during his ambassadorial vetting process. This may not be sufficient to quell anger among lawmakers who are calling for Starmer's resignation over his questionable judgment.
While Britain's swift accountability measures have garnered attention, experts caution against overlooking the U.S. landscape, which has a solid track record in information declassification. Nevertheless, Alex Thomas from the Institute for Government highlights the importance of parliamentary democracy in driving accountability in the U.K.
Tension has also arisen among high-profile American figures connected to Epstein. Most notably, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers took leave from his academic roles, while Brad Karp resigned from his position as chair of Paul Weiss following revelations from the latest documents. The NFL is investigating Epstein’s connections with New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch, who had exchanged clandestine emails with Epstein.
Furthermore, other American associates like former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have faced no severe repercussions yet, despite their associations with Epstein. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump have both been compelled to answer questions regarding their ties with Epstein, although neither has faced accusations of wrongdoing.
In Europe, the fallout continues with investigations rising across multiple countries. Swedish U.N. official Joanna Rubinstein resigned after a visit to Epstein’s Caribbean island was disclosed, while Miroslav Lajcak, Slovakia's national security adviser, also faced censure over communications discussing “gorgeous” girls with Epstein.
In response to the fallout, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland have initiated comprehensive investigations into Epstein’s network, with Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk leading efforts to identify potential victims and evaluate links between Epstein and Russian secret services.
The extensive network Epstein cultivated throughout Europe has become evident, raising questions about his influence on policy-making across the region. Grégoire Roos of the think tank Chatham House noted the files illuminate Epstein's vast connections to those both in power and aspiring to it.
Notably, Norway has witnessed profound upheaval, with former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland facing a corruption investigation tied to his connections to Epstein. High-profile diplomats Terje Rød-Larsen and Mona Juul are also mired in controversy following revelations about Epstein's will, which left significant financial legacies to their children.
The revelations have chipped away at public respect for Norway’s royal family, especially concerning Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s ties with Epstein. Following the disclosures, she issued an apology for disappointing the public, amid ongoing legal challenges involving her son.
