Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet 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 "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs 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 Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.