Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, events, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining 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 answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.