William Barr, the former United States attorney general, has defended the Department of Justice’s handling of files relating to Jeffrey Epstein, as British law enforcement officials intensify calls for greater transparency in the international investigation into the late financier’s network.
In a statement issued through his legal representatives, Barr described the release of documents as “measured and appropriate” and rejected claims that the US had withheld evidence from foreign partners. The intervention comes after the Metropolitan Police and the National Crime Agency made formal requests for access to FBI case files, citing potential victims and associates in the United Kingdom.
Epstein, who died in federal custody in August 2019, was arrested on sex trafficking charges the previous month. His death was ruled a suicide. The case has reverberated globally, with allegations involving prominent political and business figures across multiple jurisdictions.
British investigators have expressed frustration at the pace and scope of information-sharing. A senior Metropolitan Police source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the UK had “exhausted diplomatic channels” and was now seeking “direct judicial liaison” to obtain materials that could aid ongoing inquiries. The source added that “critical timelines” had been lost due to delays.
Barr, who served as attorney general from 2019 to 2020, oversaw the initial stages of the Epstein investigation. In his defence, he noted that the Department of Justice had “co-operated fully with all legitimate foreign requests” and that the US legal system required “due process and protections for privacy rights.” He did not address specific allegations regarding the destruction of evidence or the handling of Epstein’s estate.
The controversy centres on a tranche of documents that British authorities believe may contain details of Epstein’s operations in London and contacts with British nationals. Lawyers for some victims have accused the US of slow-walking disclosures that could embarrass powerful individuals.
Westminster has so far avoided direct criticism of the US, but a Downing Street spokesperson said the government was “committed to ensuring that no stone is left unturned” and that ministers were “seeking assurances” from Washington. The Home Office confirmed that it had raised the matter at a recent bilateral meeting.
Legal experts say the dispute highlights a wider tension between US privacy laws and the demands of cross-border criminal investigations. “The US has robust protections for personal data, but when you are dealing with a case of this magnitude, there is a public interest in transparency,” said Professor Alison Levitt, a former prosecutor and now a legal analyst.
Barr’s comments are unlikely to satisfy critics. Pressure has been mounting for a congressional inquiry into the Department of Justice’s handling of the Epstein case, with several US lawmakers calling for the release of all materials. In the UK, opposition MPs have tabled parliamentary questions demanding to know what representations have been made to the US administration.
The Epstein affair continues to test the so-called special relationship. While both countries have stressed the importance of collaboration, the current impasse suggests that the legacy of the case will remain a point of friction for some time.
