Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials 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 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 highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.