Emails Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection 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 seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. may soonâŠ"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.