Emails Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the run 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 producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, 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 conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.