Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were released on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.