Messages Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon 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 disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

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

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.

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

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

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

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. May soon…"

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

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.