Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Relationship

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".

These exchanges were released on this week together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

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

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

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.