Bill Clinton: I saw nothing of Epstein’s crimes and did nothing wrong

Former US president Bill Clinton said he did not have “any inkling” of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and would have “turned him in” if he had any knowledge of his sex offences.

In a video statement released after he gave nearly six hours of evidence before a US congressional oversight committee on Friday, he said: “Even with 20/20 hindsight, I saw nothing that ever gave me real pause.”

Clinton’s sworn deposition was the first time a former president had been compelled to testify to Congress against his will. Clinton and his wife Hillary, the former US secretary of state, resisted subpoenas from the panel but agreed to face the committee due to the threat of potential ­contempt of Congress proceedings.

Clinton took at least 17 flights on Epstein planes in 2002-03, after he left office. The former president has previously said he never visited Epstein’s home in the US Virgin Islands and had no knowledge of his crimes. Epstein visited the White House during Clinton’s presidency, and the two men later travelled together on humanitarian trips.

There are various pictures of Clinton in the files relating to Epstein released by the US Department of Justice. One picture shows him in a jet seated alongside a woman, whose face is redacted, with his arm around her. Another photograph shows him in a hot tub with an unidentified ­person who appears to be a woman.

Clinton told lawmakers in the closed-door session that he did not know the woman in the tub, according to a BBC report. When asked if he had sex with her, he said he did not.

“I have two things that, at the end of the day, matter far more than any interpretation of 20-year-old photos,” said Clinton in his video statement. “I saw nothing and did nothing wrong.”

Clinton said that his association with Epstein had come to an end by 2008, when Epstein pleaded guilty for procuring a person under the age of 18 for prostitution. He said Epstein had hidden his crimes for years from everyone.

Hillary Clinton gave evidence on Thursday, telling lawmakers she had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities and had no recollection of even meeting him. She said she had never flown on his planes or visited his island in the US Virgin Islands, his homes or his offices.

James Comer, chair of the House oversight committee, said there needed to be greater accountability over Epstein’s activities. The recordings of the closed sessions with the Clintons are expected to be released shortly.

Photograph by Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AFP via Getty Images