Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents 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 fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.