Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".
These messages were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected 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 first arrested.