Correspondence Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".
These messages were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply 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 in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing 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 Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.