Messages Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".
These messages were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.