Emails Reveal the late financier and Steve Bannon Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were released on this week together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".
May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.