Correspondence Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers 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 admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.