The French Foreign Ministry, known as Quai d'Orsay, is under considerable pressure following the resurfacing of allegations against diplomat Fabrice Aidan, who has been linked to Jeffrey Epstein since a pedocriminal file was uncovered by the FBI in 2013. The issue came to light anew after documents related to Epstein were declassified by U.S. authorities, revealing Aidan's name appearing extensively in the records. This rekindled the controversy regarding why no internal investigation was launched at the time or why the French judicial authorities were not informed about the serious allegations against one of their diplomats.

On Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that he had referred the matter to judicial authorities, signaling a possible step towards accountability within the ministry. The allegations suggest that Quai d'Orsay may have failed in its duty by not acting on its own obligations to protect the integrity of its diplomatic staff and, more importantly, safeguard potential victims of abuse. Barrot's actions, which include notifying the justice system about the "alleged facts" surrounding Aidan, underscore the ministry's commitment to transparency in a matter that has both legal and ethical implications.

As this scandal unfolds, it raises broader questions about negligence within French institutions when it comes to handling allegations of sexual abuse and the responsibility of government officials in following through on urgent warnings from international partners. The potential impact on France's diplomatic relations and public trust in the government remains to be seen as the case continues to draw attention both domestically and internationally.