Emails Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.