Key facts
- The UK government is not actively considering a public inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein's actions in the UK.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham had previously been reported as considering such an inquiry.
- Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones had stated Burnham was looking into the possibility and would meet with victims.
- The government is reviewing whether to include alleged actions of Mohamed Al Fayed in a potential inquiry.
- Concerns include how Epstein accessed UK military bases and the alleged impunity of powerful men.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is "looking into" the possibility of conducting a public inquiry into the UK activities of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to victims minister Alex Davies-Jones. Davies-Jones told BBC Newsnight that Burnham has agreed to meet with Epstein's victims and that the government is reviewing what actions are possible. She also indicated that the alleged actions of former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed might be included in such an inquiry.
Davies-Jones, who was reappointed as victims minister when Burnham took office, had previously resigned from a previous government, accusing it of failing to listen to Epstein's survivors. She stated that she discussed holding a public inquiry with Burnham and cabinet secretary Dame Antonia Romeo before he became prime minister. "I have been assured that the prime minister is taking this very seriously," Davies-Jones said. "He will meet with those victims and he is looking at what is possible, now he has access to all of the information as prime minister to see what action we can take."
Before finalizing plans to become prime minister, Burnham received a document from Labour campaigners on Violence Against Women and Girls. This document suggested a full public inquiry into Epstein's UK activities, Al Fayed's alleged behavior, and claims made against West Ham co-owner David Sullivan, who has denied the allegations. The document specifically called for an "impunity" inquiry to examine how powerful men allegedly carried out such behavior and how Epstein was able to fly in and out of UK military bases with allegedly trafficked women. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown had previously highlighted this issue. Anouska di Georgiou, an Epstein survivor, welcomed the reports of potential inquiries but emphasized the need for action over mere headlines, stating, "Survivors have heard promises before, so what matters now is action, not headlines."
The Ministry of Justice stated that the British government is not actively considering a public inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein's actions in the UK, despite previous suggestions by Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones. The Ministry reiterated its thoughts are with the victims and confirmed the Prime Minister is committed to meeting with them, but a public inquiry is not currently being contemplated.