Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute 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 documents from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.