Bill Gates to appear before US House panel over Epstein links on June 10

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

The billionaire philanthropist will appear before the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating Epstein’s activities. A spokesperson told BBC that Gates was “looking forward to answering all the committee's questions to support their important work,” with the hearing scheduled for June 10.

Welcomes opportunity to appear before the Committee

Gates "welcomes the opportunity to appear before the Committee," a spokesperson for Bill Gates said in an email to AFP.

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

Details of Gates’ communications with Epstein surfaced in more than three million documents released earlier this year by the Justice Department, with additional records yet to be disclosed.

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Disclosure of materials linked to Epstein

The release followed legislation signed by Donald Trump last November mandating full disclosure of materials linked to Epstein investigations.

Gates has previously addressed the issue internally at his foundation, where he “took responsibility for his actions.”

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

Gates, 70, admitted at a town hall to two affairs.

"I did have affairs, one with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist who I met through business activities," he said.

'I did nothing illicit'

According to a Wall Street Journal report, Gates apologised to staff and acknowledged past personal relationships, while maintaining he had no involvement in wrongdoing linked to Epstein, stating: "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.

A spokesperson reiterated that Gates never attended Epstein’s parties or visited his island, adding: "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 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.