Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".
These messages were published on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's closest aides 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 producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A few days 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 highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon 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 noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president 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.