Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week together with 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 iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump'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 administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, 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 records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.