Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
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 disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".
These messages were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the exchange 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 history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.