Correspondence Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.