Larry Summers Steps Back Amid Epstein Connection

Former Harvard president and US treasury secretary Larry Summers announced he is stepping back from public commitments. This decision follows the release of emails showing his prolonged association with Jeffrey Epstein after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Summers expressed remorse and aims to rebuild trust.

Larry Summers, once the president of Harvard University and former US treasury secretary, has announced he will be withdrawing from public engagements. This move comes in the wake of emails revealing his continued friendship with Jeffrey Epstein even after Epstein's 2008 guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

The statement, which was issued to The Harvard Crimson and other media outlets, emphasized Summers' desire to 'rebuild trust and repair relationships' with his close associates. He expressed deep remorse for his actions, accepting full responsibility for the judgment error of maintaining contact with Epstein.

Despite stepping back from public commitments, Summers, who currently serves as a professor at Harvard, plans to continue his academic duties. The disclosure of the emails has brought renewed attention to Epstein's network, which included numerous influential figures even after his conviction.

(With inputs from agencies.)