Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech 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 my talk I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".
These messages were published on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president'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 admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.