The women in the photo with scientist Stephen Hawking, from documents published by the US Department of Justice, about American financier Jeffrey Epstein, accused of pedophilia, were his caregivers.
“Any suggestion of inappropriate behaviour by Stephen Hawking is false and highly misleading“, a member of Hawking's family told The Sun. He added that the women were the UK-based scientist's long-term carers, who had been dependent on 24-hour medical care.
The photo was taken at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on St Thomas in 2006 after a presentation at a scientific conference. The mention of Hawking in Epstein's files does not suggest any wrongdoing by the scientist, the newspaper noted.