Correspondence Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for the political party informed media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.