Emails Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into 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 UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.