Messages Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Ties

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".

These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". 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 wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

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

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.