Messages Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.