Andy Burnham is “looking into” whether the UK can hold a public inquiry into the activities of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, victims minister Alex Davies-Jones said.
Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Davies-Jones said the prime minister has agreed to meet Epstein’s victims. She said the government is also reviewing whether alleged misconduct by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed should form part of any wider inquiry.
Discussions With Burnham Ahead Of Reappointment
Davies-Jones resigned from former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government in May, later accusing that administration of failing to listen to survivors of Epstein’s abuse. She was reappointed as victims minister after Burnham took office.
On the programme, Davies-Jones said she had discussed the possibility of a public inquiry into Epstein and Al Fayed with Burnham and Dame Antonia Romeo, the cabinet secretary, during her re-appointment.
When asked if an inquiry was now feasible, she said: “We are looking at this, we are reviewing what is possible”, adding that the same approach applies to Harrods survivors.
She said she had been assured that Burnham is taking the matter seriously and would meet victims. Davies-Jones said the prime minister would use access to information as prime minister to determine what action can be taken.
Prime Minister To Meet Victims
Davies-Jones also said Burnham had previously agreed to meet Epstein victims, and that she had raised assurances with him before he became prime minister.
After her resignation in May, Davies-Jones told MPs in June that people whose lives were affected by Epstein’s abuse had too often been treated as an afterthought.
On Newsnight, she said Burnham “has assured me” that he will meet victims after taking office and would work with officials to pursue systemic change for victims across the “system”.
Campaigners' Document Suggests Wider Scope
BBC Newsnight reported that, as Burnham was finalising plans to become prime minister, he was sent a document from leading Labour campaigners on Violence Against Women and Girls.
The document urged a full public inquiry into the UK activities of Epstein and alleged behaviour by the late Mohamed Al Fayed, as well as allegations set out in a BBC Panorama and The Times investigation involving West Ham co-owner David Sullivan.
Sullivan has said the claims are false. He said he was “absolutely not the person the media has decided to paint me as”.
Davies-Jones is understood to be familiar with the document, which called for an “impunity” inquiry into how powerful men were allegedly able to carry out abuse.
For Epstein, the document also pushed for a focus on UK borders, asking how he could fly in and out of UK military bases on his private jet, often with women described as allegedly trafficked. Former prime minister Gordon Brown highlighted border access as an issue in February.
Survivor Welcomes Reports, Calls For Action
Anouska di Georgiou, an Epstein survivor, told Newsnight she welcomed reports that Burnham was considering public inquiries into the Epstein and Maxwell cases, the Harrods and Al Fayed matters, and the claims involving David Sullivan.
She said survivors have heard promises before and that action would matter more than headlines.
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5 August 2026
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