Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were released on Wednesday alongside 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 withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, 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 convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, 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 Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.