Emails Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection
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 event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.