Messages Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".

These messages were released on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech 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 lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.