Messages Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection
In November 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 protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".
Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".
These messages were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.
The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.
He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."
But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.
A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".
Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters 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 morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"
Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow through."
Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".
Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.
A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning 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 pages from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.