The United States Justice Department faced sharp questioning today from British parliamentarians demanding access to sealed files related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Pam Bondi, the US Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, appeared before a cross-party committee in London to address concerns over the handling of the Epstein investigation and the suppression of evidence linked to his network of associates.
Bondi, known for her tenure as Florida’s Attorney General, was pressed on why key documents remain classified and whether the US had obstructed international inquiries. Labour MP Stella Creasy, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Human Trafficking, described the lack of transparency as “an insult to victims” and called for the immediate declassification of all case materials. Conservative MP David Davis echoed these sentiments, warning that the opacity could damage bilateral judicial cooperation.
The session, broadcast live from Westminster, saw Bondi defend the Department’s record, citing ongoing investigations and the need to protect witness identities. She acknowledged the “global interest” in the case but maintained that full disclosure would jeopardize prosecutions. Critics remain unconvinced, noting that Epstein’s suicide in 2019 and subsequent rulings have left numerous allegations unaddressed.
This development marks a rare instance of direct legislative scrutiny by British MPs of a senior US official. The request for files, formally submitted by the Home Office, has reignited debate about the limits of sovereignty in cross-border justice. Legal experts suggest that the US could face diplomatic pressure if it fails to comply, potentially affecting extraditions and intelligence-sharing arrangements.
As the hearing concluded, Bondi promised to review the request but stopped short of a timeline. The episode underscores the persistent friction between national security interests and the demands of global accountability in the Epstein affair.
