Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

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

These exchanges were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

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

Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

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

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

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering 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 soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.