Messages Uncover the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by matching the dates, events, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who faces no allegations 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 advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."
But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to 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 quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.