Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
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 speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech 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 closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.