The long shadow of Jeffrey Epstein's network of abuse has stretched across the Atlantic once more. Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general and a close ally of Donald Trump, has come out to defend the handling of evidence and legal proceedings against the late financier, even as British politicians and campaigners demand the full disclosure of all US files related to the case.
Bondi, who served as Florida's top prosecutor from 2011 to 2019, has faced scrutiny over her office's decision to not bring state charges against Epstein following his 2007 non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors. That deal, brokered by then US Attorney Alexander Acosta, granted Epstein immunity from federal prosecution in exchange for a guilty plea to state charges. Bondi has repeatedly stated that her office was not involved in that agreement, but questions have lingered.
In a statement released today, Bondi insisted that Florida law enforcement did all it could within its remit. "The idea that there was a cover-up is false. My office worked diligently with federal authorities. The failure was at the federal level, not the state," she said. Bondi also rejected calls for a new inquiry into how the case was handled, saying it would only "waste resources and reopen old wounds."
But across the pond, the clamour for full transparency is growing louder. British MPs from all parties have signed a letter urging the US government to release all unredacted documents from both the criminal probe and civil lawsuits. The call is driven by the belief that Epstein's network extended deep into British high society, with allegations involving Prince Andrew, who has strenuously denied any wrongdoing. Labour MP Harriet Harman, who chairs the joint committee on human rights, said: "The British public deserves to know the full truth. This is not just about one man it is about a system that allowed abuse to flourish."
The pressure has been amplified by the release of thousands of pages of court documents in recent weeks, including depositions from victims and associates. These files have painted a picture of a sophisticated operation that trafficked young women across borders. The UK government, however, has been cautious, with the Home Office stating only that it "continues to engage with US authorities on matters of mutual legal assistance."
For victims and their advocates, the pace of disclosure feels agonisingly slow. "Every document released is a drop of water in a desert. We need the floodgates to open," said Sarah Ransome, a former victim who has campaigned for justice. The emotional toll is compounded by the knowledge that Epstein's death in 2019 was ruled a suicide, leaving many questions unanswered.
Bondi's defence has done little to quell the anger. Critics point out that as attorney general, she accepted a $25,000 campaign donation from Epstein in 2010, months after the non-prosecution deal was signed. She has also been accused of failing to convene a grand jury to hear evidence from victims. Bondi has dismissed these claims as "political attacks" designed to undermine her work.
Yet the issue strikes at the heart of public trust. In the UK, where the scandal has reignited debates about institutional failings and the protection of powerful men, the fight for transparency is seen as a test of whether the establishment can police itself. The government's response has been tepid, but opposition parties are vowing to push for a parliamentary debate.
For now, the files remain locked in US courtrooms and government offices. But the pressure is mounting. As one victim's lawyer put it: "The world is watching. The question is not whether the truth will come out. It is when."
