Emails Reveal the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "They are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.