Emails Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently 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 initially charged.