Microsoft | Bill Gates' exit emphasises scrutiny leaders must now face

Until recently, Bill Gates was renowned as an influential business leader. As the founder of industry-leading software giant Microsoft – a company he founded in 1975 – Gates has managed to amass a personal fortune of $144billion (£101billion), making him the fourth richest person in the world. His influence was also as large as his bank account.

However, despite his iconic position as the face of Microsoft, this week allegations surfaced that Gates had been forced to step down from his position on the company Board – effectively breaking his official ties with the company he founded.

Why was Gates forced to step down?

According to reports from the BBC, Microsoft confirmed that it had launched a probe into the actions of Gates, referencing an affair with a 20-year-old employee and internal complaints that the business icon had "sought to initiate an intimate relationship with a female employee in 2000,” according to a Microsoft spokesperson.