Epstein Files Fallout Brings Arrests in Britain and Resignations Across Europe

The Justice Department’s release of more than three million pages of Epstein-related documents and emails in late January has been followed by arrests, resignations and investigations in several countries, according to Time, NBC News and Al Jazeera.

In Britain, police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, on Feb. 19, his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Time, NBC News and Al Jazeera reported. Time said police were assessing claims that he shared confidential government reports with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a trade envoy. He was released while the investigation continues and has consistently denied wrongdoing, according to Time. The King said, per Time, that the law must take its course, and NBC News reported he vowed to cooperate with any investigation.

Peter Mandelson, the former U.K. ambassador to Washington, was arrested Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released on bail, according to CBS News, NBC News and Time. NBC News said police searched two properties linked to him on Feb. 6, and CBS News and NBC News reported that released emails appeared to show he passed market-sensitive information to Epstein in 2009. Mandelson has denied wrongdoing related to Epstein, NBC News reported, and CBS News said he denies receiving payments from him.

In Norway, former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland has been charged with aggravated corruption after searches of his properties, NBC News and Al Jazeera reported. Mona Juul resigned as an ambassador, according to Time, NBC News and PBS, and PBS and Al Jazeera reported that Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologized for the situation she put the royal family in. Miroslav Lajcak resigned as Slovakia’s national security adviser, Time, NBC News and PBS said; he denies wrongdoing. In France, Jack Lang stepped down as head of the Arab World Institute in Paris and is under investigation, Time, NBC News and Al Jazeera reported. He has called the accusations baseless.

Business figures have also left posts. Brad Karp announced Feb. 4 that he would step down as chairman of the law firm Paul, Weiss but stay on in a client role, Time and NBC News reported. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem left as chairman and chief executive of DP World, according to Time, NBC News and Al Jazeera. Kathy Ruemmler announced she is leaving as Goldman Sachs chief legal officer, with NBC News dating the announcement to Feb. 12 and Time saying she will step down effective June 30. Thomas Pritzker retired as Hyatt’s executive chairman on Feb. 16, according to Time, NBC News and Al Jazeera.

In the United States, Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence on sex trafficking charges, NBC News and Al Jazeera reported. Lawrence Summers has been on leave from Harvard since November, NBC News and Time reported, and Peter Attia lost roles and stepped down as a CBS News contributor, with CBS staff told Feb. 23, according to NBC News and Time. Time said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who denies wrongdoing, has not resigned.

Appearing in the documents does not by itself indicate wrongdoing, and several of those named have denied it. Most of the British cases are at the investigation stage: neither Andrew nor Mandelson has been charged, and police have released both while inquiries continue.