Correspondence Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.