Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".

These messages were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union 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 was one of Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.

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

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.