Emails Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
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 numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".
These messages were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.