Emails Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president'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 August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of 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 few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.