Correspondence Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For example, 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 gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
On the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.