Messages Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon was one of the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.
On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for the political party told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.
Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.