Over three million new pages from Epstein files released as authorities address controversies

Millions of pages and thousands of videos and images relating to the dead disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein have been released, as officials hit back at criticism over delays.

Often referred to as the 'Epstein Files', the 3 million documents, 180,000 images and 2000 videos released today contain the stacks of evidence collected over the course of multiple investigations into the notorious sex trafficker.

This massive tranche of files was only released after Congress voted for the full release of all documents, after previous piecemeal releases only served to amplify public anger about the Trump administration's handling of the issue.

As the files were released, US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said: "People can criticise all they want, my point was to make plain that when it comes to what we've been doing the past two months and why, we weren't able to complete the review of over six million pages."

Donald Trump's historic friendship with Jeffrey Epstein has led some to accuse him of a cover up (Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)

Pointing to the vast scale of the files released by the government, Blanche added: "You're talking about two Eiffel Towers of pages in 30 days in a way that made sure we complied with the act."

While lawyers, journalists and curious citizens pore through the millions of pages of documents released today, many will be looking for further evidence of well-known celebrities, politicians, and wealthy people who spent time with the billionaire sex trafficker.

More to follow.