British PM Andy Burnham eyes public inquiry into Epstein’s U.K. crimes — after scandal claims King’s brother and Blair crony Mandelson
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering a public inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged crimes in the U.K., though it is not an immediate priority.
Burnham swore as prime minister in July and he reportedly plans to meet with Epstein survivors as officials examine whether a formal inquiry could take place.
Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones confirmed the possibility during an interview with the BBC’s Newsnight.
“We are looking into this. We are seeing what is possible,” Davies-Jones said.
The developments come as British authorities investigate separate allegations connected to Epstein’s activities in the U.K., including claims involving sexual abuse, trafficking and alleged misconduct in public office.
The Epstein scandal has also entangled King Charles‘ brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who has been stripped of his royal titles and former British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson.
Both Mountbatten-Windsor and Mandelson are facing separate police investigations and deny wrongdoing.
According to The Guardian, Thames Valley Police is investigating Mountbatten-Windsor over alleged misconduct in public office.
Mandelson faces a separate Metropolitan Police investigation over allegations that he passed sensitive information to Epstein during his time in public office.
Meanwhile, Surrey Police have launched a criminal investigation into two allegations of non-recent child s**ual abuse after two women came forward and identified themselves as victims referenced in the Epstein files.
Their allegations date back to the 1980s and 1990s and involve locations in Surrey and Berkshire.
The investigation marks the British police’s first criminal probe into allegations of s**ual harm against women connected to Epstein.
The BBC also uncovered evidence that suggests Epstein maintained a substantial operation in the U.K..
This includes at least four London flats where women lived and records indicate that he paid their expenses and in some cases, funded their travel and education.
Records show that Epstein reportedly purchased at least 53 Eurostar tickets for women traveling between England and France from 2011 to 2019.
Human rights lawyer Tessa Gregory said she was “staggered” that no investigation had previously taken place despite the allegations and evidence that have since emerged.
“Where there are credible allegations of human trafficking, the U.K. state, even if no victims come forward, has a positive legal obligation to conduct a prompt, effective and independent investigation.”
Former senior Metropolitan Police detective Kevin Hyland also questioned why authorities did not act more decisively when allegations first surfaced.
“People are outraged that somebody came forward and said, ‘I was trafficked by this man’ and yet he was just allowed to carry on. Who in the police made that decision?” said Hyland.
Survivors have since called for a public inquiry into Epstein’s activities in Britain, including whether police, government agencies and other institutions failed to act when concerns were raised.