Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.