The CEO of the World Economic Forum is stepping down after a review of his Epstein ties

• Børge Brende, the long-serving head of the World Economic Forum, is stepping down.
• His resignation comes after the WEF launched an independent review into his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Emails released by the Department of Justice appeared to show Brende had dinner with Epstein three times.

The president and CEO of the World Economic Forum, Børge Brende, has announced he will step down in the wake of an investigation into his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

"I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions," Brende, who led the organisation behind the annual Davos conference for over 8 years, said.

The WEF co-chairs, André Hoffman and Larry Fink, said the independent review, which was made public earlier in February, found "there were no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed."

Emails released by the Department of Justice appeared to show Brende had dinner with Epstein three times in 2018 and 2019.

In a statement to Reuters earlier this month, Brende said he was "completely unaware of Epstein's past and criminal activities."

Hoffman and Fink said Alois Zwinggi will serve as the WEF's interim president and CEO.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.