Emails Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt 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 excellent assistant".
These exchanges were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.
Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.