Correspondence Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK 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 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 was one of the president's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.