Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are trying to move on. may soonâŚ"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.