Correspondence Reveal the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In November 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 night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes 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 referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked 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: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.