Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "They are trying to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.