Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
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 numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "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 this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
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 the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.