Correspondence Uncover 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 address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.