Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the run 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 making a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.