Emails Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".
These messages were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "They are trying to move on. 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 inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.