Ex-US treasury chief takes leave from Harvard following Epstein email release

This combo shows Jeffrey Epstein, left, and U.S. economist Larry Summers. (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP/Michel Euler)

Former US treasury secretary Larry Summers abruptly went on leave Wednesday from teaching at Harvard University, where he once served as president, over recently released emails showing he maintained a friendly relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, Mr Summers’ spokesperson said.

Mr Summers had been retreating from his public commitments amid the fallout of the email revelation, but he had maintained that he would continue teaching economics classes at Harvard.