Emails Highlight 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 speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about 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 speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned 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 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.