Emails Reveal the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump'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 August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.