Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to 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 travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.