Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.