Emails Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".
These messages were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents 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 redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.