Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, 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 run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing 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 said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Interest 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 consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president 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.