Messages Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".
These messages were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
UK Politics Discussed in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.