Emails Highlight Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Ties

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

The event was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

These messages were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment 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 resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed 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 arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for the political party told media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

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

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.