UK government rules out public inquiry into Epstein for now

LONDON, Aug 5 (Reuters) - ‌The British ​government ​is not actively considering holding a public inquiry into the convicted sex ‌offender Jeffrey Epstein and his actions in ⁠the UK, the Ministry of Justice said in ‌a statement on Wednesday.

Nearly ‌seven years after his death, the Epstein scandal has rocked the British establishment, leading ​to the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, King Charles' brother, and of Peter Mandelson, the ⁠former British ambassador to the U.S.

Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones had ​told the BBC a day earlier that Prime Minister Andy Burnham was "looking into" ​holding an inquiry, but ‌the Ministry of Justice subsequently ruled this out for the time being.

"Our ⁠thoughts are firmly with the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, who have survived devastating trauma," a Ministry ⁠of Justice spokesperson said in a statement.

"The Prime Minister is ​committed to meeting with victims, but a public inquiry is not being actively considered."

British police are already ‌investigating a number of allegations related to the disgraced financier, with possible ‌offences ranging from child sex abuse to ⁠trafficking women through UK ‌airports and ​misconduct in public office.

(Reporting by Sarah Young, Editing by Paul Sandle and William ‌James)

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