Emails Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key 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 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended 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 the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "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 US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.