Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.