Correspondence Reveal the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials 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 highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.