Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These exchanges were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.