Burnham weighs public inquiry into Epstein's UK links, says minister

The victims minister, Alex Davies-Jones, has said Andy Burnham is considering launching a public inquiry into the UK activities of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She said the prime minister had agreed to meet Epstein’s victims and was reviewing what was possible.

Davies-Jones told BBC Newsnight that an inquiry was on the table, and that the same consideration was being given to survivors of former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed. She noted that a statutory inquiry already exists for grooming-gang victims and stressed Burnham was taking the matter seriously, with a commitment to meet victims and examine available options now that he has full access to information as prime minister.

More than 400 allegations of sexual abuse have been made against Al Fayed, covering the period 1977 to 2014, including rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation and human trafficking. The Metropolitan Police are investigating complaints from at least 156 people, 21 of whom came forward before Fayed died in 2023.

Davies-Jones, who returned as victims minister under Burnham’s premiership, said she had sought assurances before rejoining the government that victims would always be prioritised. She described conversations with Burnham and his team, noting he had been in close contact with Epstein victims during his transition to becoming prime minister and had promised to meet them. She also spoke of the need for systemic change across the criminal justice system to help victims rebuild trust.

The minister had left Keir Starmer’s government in May, calling on him to resign, and had urged the former prime minister to meet Epstein survivors. At the end of June, Starmer told campaigner Lisa Phillips that his "door is open" but did not agree to a meeting, instead offering her a meeting with former chief secretary Darren Jones and Davies-Jones.