Correspondence Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet 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 gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused 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 lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are trying to move on. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.