Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, 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 was one of Trump's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soonโฆ"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.