Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".
These messages were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of the president's key advisers 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 prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.