Messages Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".
These messages were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.
For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.
Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.
Epstein's Assurance to Bannon
Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.
He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."
But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Messages
The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.
Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".
Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.
A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.
The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.