Correspondence Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 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, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel 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 trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "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 justice department should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.