Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties

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

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".

These exchanges were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.

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

Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.