Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations 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 advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.