Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".
These messages were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party informed media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.