Epstein European Fallout: Resignations, Arrests & Investigations Across Europe

A Wave of Consequences

The release of 3.5 million pages of Epstein investigation documents on January 30, 2026, has triggered the most significant international political fallout in the history of the Epstein case. While commentators and victims' advocates have noted a relatively muted response in the United States, European governments and law enforcement agencies have moved swiftly — resulting in resignations, criminal charges, police investigations, and political upheaval across at least seven countries.

As NPR and the Washington Post have reported, the contrast between the European and American responses has itself become a major story, raising questions about accountability, political will, and institutional courage on both sides of the Atlantic.

United Kingdom

Prince Andrew: Arrested

The most dramatic development came on February 19, 2026, when Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew) was arrested by the Metropolitan Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was held for 12 hours of questioning before being released. The arrest stems from allegations that he shared confidential government information with Epstein while serving as the UK's trade envoy. He is the first senior British royal arrested in nearly 400 years.

Read our detailed coverage: Prince Andrew Arrested: What Happened & What It Means

Peter Mandelson: Resigned

Lord Peter Mandelson, a senior Labour Party figure who served as a Cabinet minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, resigned from the Labour Party and the House of Lords in early February 2026. The resignations came after documents released from the Epstein files detailed meetings and communications between Mandelson and Epstein.

According to Axios, Mandelson had been under increasing pressure since the documents revealed the extent of his contacts with Epstein, including visits to Epstein's properties. Mandelson had previously acknowledged meeting Epstein but characterized their interactions as limited.

Metropolitan Police: Criminal Investigation Opened

The Metropolitan Police Service opened a formal criminal investigation into matters arising from the Epstein files, as reported by NBC News. The investigation extends beyond Prince Andrew's case to examine other UK-connected allegations contained in the released documents.

Norway

Thorbjorn Jagland: Criminal Charges

Former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland, who also served as Secretary General of the Council of Europe, was charged with aggravated corruption in connection with his documented relationship with Epstein. According to Salon and Euronews, the charges relate to financial dealings between Jagland and Epstein entities.

Jagland's case is one of the most serious criminal consequences to emerge from the Epstein files, as aggravated corruption in Norway carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.

Mona Juul: Resigned

Norwegian Ambassador Mona Juul resigned from her diplomatic position after the files revealed that Epstein had left $10 million to her children in financial arrangements. According to multiple reports, the nature of this financial relationship between a convicted sex offender and a serving ambassador raised immediate questions about potential conflicts of interest and improper influence.

Slovakia

Miroslav Lajcak: Resigned

Miroslav Lajcak, a senior Slovak diplomat who served as President of the United Nations General Assembly and as the EU's Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, resigned from all positions in February 2026.

According to Euronews, the Epstein files reportedly contained communications in which Lajcak allegedly asked Epstein to arrange for "young girls" — an allegation that, if substantiated, would represent direct complicity in trafficking. Lajcak's resignation was immediate upon the publication of these documents.

France

Paris Prosecutors: Formal Investigation Opened

French prosecutors in Paris opened formal investigations into multiple matters connected to the Epstein files, according to NBC News. The investigations reportedly cover:

• Human trafficking — Examining whether Epstein's operations extended to France and whether French nationals were involved in facilitating trafficking
• Financial wrongdoing — Investigating financial transactions between Epstein entities and French individuals or companies

France has particular relevance to the Epstein case because Epstein owned an apartment on Avenue Foch in Paris and had extensive contacts in French social and business circles. Additionally, Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent and Epstein associate, was arrested in Paris in 2020 and found dead in his prison cell in 2022.

Jack Lang: Under Investigation

Former French Culture Minister Jack Lang is reportedly under investigation in connection with his documented contacts with Epstein. The specific nature of the allegations against Lang has not been fully disclosed by French authorities.

Sweden

Joanna Rubinstein: Resigned

Joanna Rubinstein, who served as Sweden's representative to the United Nations for UNHCR programs, resigned after the files revealed she had visited Epstein's private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The circumstances and purpose of the visit are under scrutiny.

Turkey

Prosecutors Reviewing Files

Turkish prosecutors announced they are reviewing the Epstein files for allegations related to the trafficking of Turkish children. According to Euronews, specific references in the documents to Turkey prompted the review. No charges have been filed as of this writing.

Lithuania

Human Trafficking Investigation Launched

Lithuanian authorities launched a human trafficking investigation in response to information contained in the Epstein files. Details of the specific allegations prompting the investigation have not been publicly disclosed.

The US-Europe Contrast

The swift and decisive European response stands in stark contrast to the situation in the United States, where:

• At least half a dozen top Trump administration officials appear in the files, according to NBC News
• Attorney General Pam Bondi was accused of monitoring which documents lawmakers accessed in a secure reading room
• No U.S. official has resigned or been charged in connection with the files
• Survivors have not been given the opportunity to testify at congressional hearings

NPR has described the American response as "muted" compared to the European reaction, with multiple commentators noting that the political will to hold powerful domestic figures accountable has been notably absent.

Victims' advocates have been particularly vocal about the disparity. While European governments have moved to investigate and prosecute individuals named in the files, U.S. officials have focused primarily on debating the completeness of the document release itself.

Important Context

Several important caveats apply when assessing these developments:

Being named in documents does not imply guilt. Many individuals appear in the Epstein files in contexts that do not suggest criminal activity. The significance of any mention depends on the specific content and context.

Investigations are not convictions. The opening of investigations and the filing of charges represent the beginning of legal processes, not their conclusion. All individuals are entitled to the presumption of innocence.

Political motivations vary. The response in each country reflects different legal systems, political cultures, and domestic political dynamics. Swift action in one country does not necessarily indicate greater virtue compared to slower processes elsewhere.

The analysis is ongoing. With 3.5 million pages of documents, the full picture of the files' contents is still emerging. Additional revelations and consequences are expected in the weeks and months ahead.

Sources

All information sourced to NPR, Axios, Salon, Euronews, NBC News, and the Washington Post. Links above.