Messages Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.
The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.
For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.
He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."
But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.
A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."
UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges
The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.
On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".
Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.