Emails Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.