Emails Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".
These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.