Epstein was known to leverage his numerous relationships with elite, wealthy figures to further his own position.

Gates, 67, was a keen bridge player and met Antonova, then in her mid-20s, at a tournament in 2009. The father of three was married to Melinda Gates at the time. The couple separated two years ago.

‘I tried to kick him in the leg’

Antonova, believed to now be 39, described their encounter at a bridge tournament in a video. “I didn’t beat him, but I tried to kick him with my leg,” she said.

Epstein threatened to expose the affair unless Gates supported a charity the convicted paedophile wanted to set up, The Wall Street Journal reported.

“Mr Gates met with Epstein solely for philanthropic purposes,” a spokesman for the Microsoft co-founder said last week.

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“Having failed repeatedly to draw Mr Gates beyond these matters, Epstein tried unsuccessfully to leverage a past relationship to threaten Mr Gates.”

She added: “Gates had no financial dealings with Epstein.”