Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".
These messages were published on this week together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise 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 misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording 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 recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for the political party informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.