Correspondence Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers before stepping down from the administration in August 2017

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".

These messages were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.

'I'll make sure you're well looked after'

Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged 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 earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Jamie Roberts
Jamie Roberts

Maya Chen is a network security specialist with over 10 years of experience in IT infrastructure and digital transformation projects.