Burnham considers public inquiry into Epstein’s UK activities

BRITISH Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering the possibility of launching a public inquiry into the United Kingdom activities of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones has confirmed.

Speaking to the BBC's Newsnight programme, Davies-Jones said Burnham had agreed to meet Epstein's victims and was reviewing what action the government could take.

She also said ministers were examining whether allegations concerning the late former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed should be included within the scope of any inquiry.

"We are looking at this, we are reviewing what is possible. Again, same with Harrods survivors," she said.

"I have been assured that the prime minister is taking this very seriously.

"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."

Davies-Jones resigned from the government of former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer in May, later accusing the administration of failing to listen to Epstein's survivors. She was reappointed as victims minister after Burnham became prime minister.

She said she had discussed the prospect of a public inquiry into Epstein and Al Fayed with Burnham and Cabinet Secretary Dame Antonia Romeo during talks before returning to government.

"I did have those discussions with the prime minister before he became the prime minister.

"He agreed to meet with the Epstein victims," she said, adding that Burnham had assured her he would do so now that he was in office and would "work with us to look at systemic change across the system for all victims".

According to BBC Newsnight, Burnham received a document from senior Labour campaigners on violence against women and girls while preparing to take office, urging the government to establish a full public inquiry.

The proposal called for an investigation into Epstein's activities in the UK, allegations involving Al Fayed, and claims made in a BBC Panorama and Times investigation concerning West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan.

Sullivan has denied the allegations, describing them as false and saying he was "absolutely not the person the media has decided to paint me as".

The campaigners also proposed an "impunity inquiry" to examine how powerful men were allegedly able to evade accountability, including scrutiny of how Epstein was able to enter and leave the UK through military airbases aboard his private aircraft, often accompanied by women alleged to have been trafficked.

Epstein survivor Anouska di Georgiou welcomed reports that Burnham was considering the inquiries.

"I welcome reports that Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering public inquiries into the Epstein and Maxwell, Harrods/Mohamed Al-Fayed, and David Sullivan cases.

"Survivors have heard promises before, so what matters now is action, not headlines," she said. - August 5, 2026