Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 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 documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison 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 estate.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.