Emails Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are trying to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.