Emails Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".
These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.