Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were released on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail 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 archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.