Messages Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.
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 Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "They are trying to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.