The Gates Foundation is facing a fresh storm. A newly leaked deposition from Bill Gates has landed on my desk. It relates to his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein. The contents are explosive. They are causing panic in Whitehall and beyond.
Let me cut to the chase. Sources close to the Foundation confirm Gates met Epstein on multiple occasions after the financier's 2008 conviction. The deposition shows Gates was warned by his own advisors. He ignored them. He continued to seek Epstein's advice on tax and philanthropy.
Why does this matter to you? Because UK charities are now demanding answers. They want full disclosure. They fear the Gates name is tainted. One senior charity boss told me: "We have to protect our reputations. This is a nightmare."
The timing is terrible. The Government is courting the Foundation for a major climate partnership. A Whitehall insider whispered: "This could derail months of work. Ministers are furious."
Labour MPs are circling. They smell blood. A backbencher told me: "Gates was supposed to be a model philanthropist. Now this. We need parliamentary scrutiny."
Let's look at the polling. It's not good. Public trust in big philanthropy is at an all-time low. The Epstein link is toxic. The donations may suffer.
The deposition itself is a minefield. Gates admits to meeting Epstein in 2011, 2012, and 2013. He claims the purpose was to discuss global health. But the emails say otherwise. They show Epstein offering to introduce Gates to wealthy donors. Some of those donors have murky pasts.
What happens next? The Foundation will try to weather the storm. They will release statements. They will blame the media. But the damage is done.
UK charities are not waiting. They are forming a coalition. They will demand Gates appear before a parliamentary committee. One organiser said: "We need transparency. Otherwise, we cut ties."
The game is changing. This is a real test for the charity sector. Can they hold their heroes to account?
I have more coming. The deposition has other names. People in high places. Stay tuned. This story is just beginning.
