Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, 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 said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. 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 Exchanges
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "They are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.