Correspondence Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Relationship

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent 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 includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

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

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

Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his passing 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 newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the exchange 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 expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department 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 renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.