Emails Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford 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 the president's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.