Burnham ‘looking into’ conducting Epstein inquiry, says victims minister.

Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones has revealed that Prime Minister Andy Burnham is actively exploring the feasibility of launching a comprehensive public inquiry into the United Kingdom activities of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This significant development comes as a potential turning point for survivors who have long campaigned for a thorough investigation into how Epstein was able to operate within the UK with apparent impunity. Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Davies-Jones confirmed that the Prime Minister had already committed to meeting directly with Epstein’s victims, signaling a serious and personal engagement with the issue at the highest level of government.

Furthermore, the scope of the potential inquiry could extend beyond Epstein, with Davies-Jones indicating that the government is also reviewing whether the alleged actions of the late former Harrods owner, Mohamed Al Fayed, could be incorporated into such an investigation. This broader consideration reflects a growing demand for accountability concerning powerful figures accused of serious misconduct.

Davies-Jones’s involvement in these discussions carries particular weight, given her personal history of advocating for victims. She had previously resigned from former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government in May, at that time vocally accusing his administration of failing to adequately listen to the voices and concerns of Epstein’s survivors. Her subsequent reappointment as victims minister when Andy Burnham assumed office underscores a renewed commitment to these issues within the new government, suggesting that her prior criticisms have been acknowledged and addressed.

During her interview on Newsnight, Davies-Jones elaborated on the critical conversations she held regarding the proposed public inquiries. She confirmed that she had discussed the potential for investigations into both Epstein’s alleged behaviour and that of Al Fayed with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretary, Dame Antonia Romeo, during the process of her re-appointment. When directly questioned about the likelihood of such an inquiry proceeding, Davies-Jones stated definitively: "We are looking at this, we are reviewing what is possible. Again, same with Harrods survivors." Her remarks indicate a careful but determined process of evaluation, aiming to determine the most effective and appropriate legal and governmental mechanisms to address these complex and deeply sensitive allegations.

Davies-Jones further emphasized the Prime Minister’s dedication to the matter, stating, "I have been assured that the prime minister is taking this very seriously." She added that Burnham’s commitment extends to personally engaging with those affected: "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." This access to comprehensive governmental information is crucial for any Prime Minister to make informed decisions on matters of such national and international significance.

The minister’s persistent advocacy for survivors has been a hallmark of her political career. Following her resignation in May, Davies-Jones delivered a powerful address to the Commons in June, where she lamented that individuals whose lives had been irrevocably damaged by Epstein’s abuse were too often "reduced to a footnote" in broader narratives. Her re-entry into government under Burnham was contingent on specific assurances regarding the treatment of survivors. When asked about these guarantees, Davies-Jones confirmed: "I did have those discussions with the prime minister before he became the prime minister." She continued, outlining the specific commitments: "He agreed to meet with the Epstein victims," and stressed that Burnham "has assured me that he will meet them now he’s prime minister and will work with us to look at systemic change across the system for all victims." This focus on "systemic change" suggests that any inquiry would not merely focus on individual culpability but also on broader institutional failures that allowed such abuses to occur.

BBC Newsnight has learned that as Andy Burnham was finalizing his plans to take on the role of Prime Minister, he received a crucial document compiled by leading Labour campaigners focused on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). This document laid out a series of key suggestions, central among which was the recommendation to hold a full public inquiry into the UK activities of Jeffrey Epstein. The proposed inquiry would delve into the specific details of his movements, associations, and any potential enablers within British society.

Crucially, the document also advocated for inquiries into the alleged behaviour of the late Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed and into allegations detailed in a BBC Panorama and Times investigation that West Ham co-owner David Sullivan preyed on women. David Sullivan has vehemently denied these claims, stating he was "absolutely not the person the media has decided to paint me as." The inclusion of these multiple, high-profile cases within the same proposal highlights a broader concern among campaigners about how powerful men have historically operated beyond adequate scrutiny in the UK.

The campaigners’ document specifically called for an "impunity" inquiry. This type of investigation would seek to understand not just the individual acts of alleged abuse, but also the systemic factors, networks of influence, and institutional failures that may have allowed powerful men to carry out their alleged behaviour without facing appropriate consequences for extended periods. This approach aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms that grant such individuals a degree of protection or enable them to evade justice.

Regarding Epstein, the document specifically urged a focus on UK borders and national security implications. It questioned how Epstein was able to repeatedly fly in and out of UK military bases on his private jet, often reportedly accompanied by allegedly trafficked women. This particular concern was previously highlighted by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown in February, underscoring a long-standing demand for answers regarding the permissions and oversight surrounding Epstein’s travel within and through UK territory. Davies-Jones is understood to be well-acquainted with the contents and recommendations of this influential Labour document, indicating a clear alignment between her ministerial agenda and the calls from party campaigners.

The news of a potential inquiry has been met with cautious optimism by survivors. Anouska di Georgiou, an Epstein survivor, conveyed her feelings to BBC Newsnight, stating: "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." However, she tempered her welcome with a vital reminder born of past disappointments: "Survivors have heard promises before, so what matters now is action, not headlines." Her statement encapsulates the deep-seated desire among victims for tangible progress and justice, rather than mere political rhetoric.

The prospect of such wide-ranging public inquiries represents a significant moment for accountability in the UK. Should they proceed, these investigations would not only offer a platform for victims to finally have their experiences heard and acknowledged but could also lead to crucial systemic reforms designed to protect vulnerable individuals and hold powerful figures to account more effectively in the future. The commitment from Prime Minister Andy Burnham and the persistent advocacy of victims minister Alex Davies-Jones signal a potential shift towards greater transparency and justice for those impacted by the alleged actions of some of the most influential individuals.