Correspondence Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down 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 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.