An Epstein survivor and a lawyer for his victims have urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to tell Donald Trump not to pardon convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. Lara Blume McGee, who says she was groomed by Maxwell aged 20, has called on Burnham to 'make it clear' that Epstein's former girlfriend should remain in prison.
Survivor's plea to the Prime Minister
McGee told Metro: 'A pardon for Maxwell would not only be a travesty of justice but a devastating message to survivors everywhere. We cannot allow this. We will not allow this.' She was 20 when she met Maxwell at New York Fashion Week in 2000, and claims Maxwell used modelling connections to lure her into Epstein's orbit before he abused her.
Asked what her message would be to the new Prime Minister, McGee said: 'Prime Minister Burnham, stand with us. Use your influence to ensure that the UK is a beacon of justice, not a sanctuary for those who exploit and abuse. Make it clear to President Trump and the world that pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell would be a grave injustice that Britain will not tolerate.'
Lawyer's call for public inquiry
Spencer Kuvin, who has represented Epstein victims since 2006, said Burnham 'has a voice' over a feared pardon of Maxwell, who is a British citizen. He called on the PM to support an independent statutory inquiry into Epstein and to 'say publicly if credible evidence exists that anyone' participated in the financier's crimes.
Kuvin told Metro: 'Victims should never be placed in the position of wondering whether the person convicted of helping facilitate their abuse might be freed because she has information that powerful people want. That would send a terrible message to trafficking survivors everywhere.'
Trump has not ruled out granting clemency to Maxwell, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison on child sex trafficking charges in 2022. Many survivors are outraged at Trump's new US attorney general Todd Blanche, who was responsible for moving Maxwell to a minimum-security prison shortly after meeting her last year.
UK government response
Burnham has agreed to meet Epstein's victims but is not considering holding a public inquiry into the paedophile's UK activities, Downing Street confirmed this month. The Senate unanimously passed a resolution last month declaring opposition to any presidential pardon for Maxwell, who has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing.
A Government spokesperson said: 'Our thoughts are firmly with the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, who have suffered devastating trauma, and it is right that Ghislaine Maxwell has been handed out a 20-year prison sentence for her role. The Prime Minister is committed to meeting with victims. We are looking at all options to support them.'
