Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These messages were released on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended 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 private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.