Correspondence Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part 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 misconduct, 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 run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days 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 most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
On the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.