A UK minister suggested the prime minister was considering a public inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein's activities in the UK, but the Guardian later reported that Downing Street is not actively pursuing one.
Conflicting reports have emerged over whether the UK government is considering a public inquiry into the activities of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in the country, according to the Guardian.
The victims’ minister, Alex Davies-Jones, said on Tuesday that the prime minister had agreed to meet Epstein’s victims, was “looking into” an inquiry and was “taking this very seriously.” Her comments raised the prospect that Andy Burnham was weighing a public inquiry into Epstein’s UK activities.
However, in a later report the Guardian said it understood a public inquiry was not being actively considered by No 10, despite the earlier claims. The outlet reported that Andy Burnham is not actively considering an inquiry into the actions of the financier in the UK.
Alongside the discussion of a possible Epstein inquiry, a separate inquiry into the alleged actions of the former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed is also being considered, according to the Guardian.
The differing accounts, published within roughly two hours of each other, reflected uncertainty over the government’s position. The minister’s statement that the prime minister had agreed to meet victims and was “looking into” an inquiry stood in contrast to the later understanding that Downing Street was not actively pursuing one.
Epstein was described in the reports as a convicted sex offender and paedophile financier. The Guardian did not provide further detail in the available text on the scope or timing of any potential inquiry.
Why it matters
Public inquiries can shape how governments respond to allegations of abuse and accountability for the powerful. The conflicting signals from ministers and Downing Street leave victims and the public unclear about whether the UK will formally examine Epstein's activities in the country.