Correspondence Reveal the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk 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 served as Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan 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 convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.