Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were released on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, 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 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.