Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.