Burnham 'looking into' conducting Epstein enquiry, says victims minister

Andy Burnham is "looking into" the possibility of holding a public enquiry into the UK activities of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to victims minister Alex Davies-Jones.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Davies-Jones said that the prime minister had agreed to meet Epstein's victims.

She said the government is also reviewing whether the alleged actions of former Harrod's owner Mohamed Al Fayed could also be part of an enquiry.

Davies-Jones resigned from former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's government in May, later accusing his government of failing to listen to Epstein's survivors. She was reappointed as victims minister when Burnham took office.

Speaking on the programme, she said she had discussed holding a public enquiry into the alleged behaviour of Epstein and Al Fayed with the prime minister and cabinet secretary Dame Antonia Romeo during her re-appointment.

Asked whether an enquiry was now possible, Davies-Jones said: "We are looking at this, we are reviewing what is possible. Again, same with Harrods survivors."

She added: "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."