Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech 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 layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".
These messages were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK 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 delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and 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 make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.