Emails Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others 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 guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.