Messages Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.
The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".
These messages were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.
For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 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 before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."
But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.
A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Discussed in Messages
The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.
Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."
Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.
The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.
Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.
Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied 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 initially charged.