Børge Brende has suddenly resigned as head of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, after eight years in the position. The decision comes in the wake of reports that the former Norwegian top politician met several times with the now-deceased sex offender and pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

In a statement to the Norwegian Dagens Næringsliv, Brende wrote that he believes it is best for both WEF and himself to pass on the leadership. He emphasized that his meetings with Epstein took place in 2018–2019, after his time as Norway’s foreign minister, and further claimed that he never had any formal connection between WEF and Epstein.

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According to Brende, Epstein was introduced as an investor by the Norwegian diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen. Brende admits that, in hindsight, he should have declined the invitations he received if he had known about Epstein’s criminal background.

“Had I known about his background, I would never have accepted the first invitation, and probably not subsequent dinners or any other contacts,” Brende wrote to the Norwegian newspaper.

WEF has yet to comment on Brende’s resignation. During his eight years as chief, the forum has brought together world leaders, business executives, and academics to discuss :censored:6:cdd6bbaa89: issues and the future.

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