Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave 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 was one of Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase 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 around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged 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: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.