Correspondence Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK 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 misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Messages
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.