Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".
These messages were published on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his identity by matching the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. May soonâŠ"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.