Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the estate 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 managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.