Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane 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 speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to 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 pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are trying to move on. May soonâŚ"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.