Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended 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 seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his address 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 allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.