New Delhi, Nov. 18 -- Former US Treasury Secretary and former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers announced on Monday that he would be "stepping back from public commitments" following the release of communication documents between him and the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.

Summers, a current Harvard University Professor, stated that while he will "continu[e] to fulfill my teaching obligations," the withdrawal from public roles is "one part of my broader effort to rebuild trust and repair relationships with the people closest to me."

In his public statement to the media, Summers expressed deep remorse over his communication with Epstein.

He used strong language to convey his regret:

"I am deeply ashamed of my actions ...