Emails Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages 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 managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

'I'll make sure you're well looked after'

Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days before 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 booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and 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 soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.