Messages Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.