Emails Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.