Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve 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 that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.