Correspondence Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These messages were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.