Correspondence Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.