Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.