Bill Gates set to testify before US Congress in Epstein investigation

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is set to testify before the US congress in June about his interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, lawmakers have confirmed.

The billionaire philanthropist is the latest high-profile figure to agree to testify before the House Oversight Committee investigating Epstein's wrongdoing.

Gates was "looking forward to answering all the committee's questions to support their important work", a spokesperson told the BBC. The hearing is scheduled for 10 June.

Gates has not been accused of misconduct by any of Epstein's victims, and his inclusion in investigative files does not imply any criminal activity.

Details about Gates communications and relationship with Epstein were included in more than three million documents released earlier this year by the justice department.

The department has released millions of documents, but millions more remain undisclosed.

Last November, Trump signed legislation passed by Congress requiring the justice department to release all material from its investigations into Epstein which is how details of Gates' connection became public.

The philanthropist addressed his links to the convicted sex offender during a meeting with staff from his charitable foundation and "took responsibility for his actions".

"Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail," the Gates Foundation said in a statement.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Gates apologised to staff, said he had two affairs with Russian women which Epstein later found out about, and in relation to the late financier said: "I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit."

Earlier this year, Gates, in an interview with 9News in Australia spoke publicly about his ties with Epstein, saying his interactions were limited to dinners and that he did not visit Epstein's island.

"Every minute I spent with him I regret and I apologise that I did that," Gates said.

In a statement to the BBC, a spokesperson for Gates later said the Microsoft co-founder had never attended parties with the late financier and had no involvement in illegal activities associated with Epstein.

"While Mr Gates acknowledges that meeting with Epstein was a serious error in judgment, he unequivocally denies any improper conduct related to Epstein and the horrible activities in which Epstein was involved," the statement said.

The House Oversight Committee issued a letter on 3 March requesting Gates' testimony which comes amid other high-profile testimony.

Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, appeared before the committee in February.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and former Attorney General Pam Bondi are expected to testify in the coming weeks.