Emails Reveal 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 numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane 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 excellent helper".
These messages were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his identity by matching the timeline, events, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "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 next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.