Bill Gates admits meetings with Jeffrey Epstein were a ‘huge mistake’

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has admitted he made "a huge mistake" in spending time with sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Mr Gates told CNN he had "several dinners" about a philanthropy project that did not emerge, and should not have given him "credibility".

Epstein hanged himself in jail in 2019 while awaiting a sex-trafficking trial.

Mr Gates also discussed his divorce with Melinda French Gates, calling it "a source of great personal sadness".

The 65-year-old, who announced in March last year he was stepping down from the Microsoft board, said he and his ex-wife were "going to try and continue" working together on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Mr Gates was also asked whether he had regrets following allegations of workplace misbehaviour - some Microsoft employees have accused him of bullying.

He did not respond specifically, saying: "Certainly everyone does [have regrets] but it's a time of reflection, and at this point, I need to go forward."

Mr Gates's representatives have previously played down his relationship with Epstein, saying there was no business partnership or personal friendship.

He echoed that in the CNN interview, saying: "I had several dinners with him, you know, hoping that what he said about getting billions of philanthropy for global health through contacts that he had might emerge.

"When it looked like that wasn't a real thing, that relationship ended."