UK PM Burnham weighs public inquiry into Epstein case

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering launching a public inquiry into the UK activities of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the government's victims minister confirmed on August 5. Minister Alex Davies-Jones stated that Burnham has agreed to meet with Epstein's victims and is reviewing what form an inquiry could take, potentially broadening its scope to include allegations against other prominent figures.

The potential inquiry follows years of scandal connected to Epstein, who died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while facing federal sex trafficking charges. His case has had significant repercussions in the United Kingdom, leading to the arrests of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles, and former British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson. British police are already conducting investigations into a range of allegations tied to Epstein, including child sex abuse, trafficking women through UK airports, and misconduct in public office.

Davies-Jones, who was reappointed as victims minister when Burnham took office in July, told BBC Newsnight that the prime minister is taking the issue very seriously. She said...