Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, 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 release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.