Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of 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 August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see 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 no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.