Emails Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".
These messages were released on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."
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 "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.