Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. 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 alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to release the series, 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 being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.