Correspondence Reveal the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.