Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the records 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 cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended 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 appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
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 reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and 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 make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.