Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased 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 identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane 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 delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming 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 occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "They are trying to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.