Emails Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents 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 identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland 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 talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally 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 remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.