Messages Highlight the late financier and Steve Bannon Ties
In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.
The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".
Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".
These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.
For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.
Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.
'I'll make sure you're well looked after'
Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.
He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "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 connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.
A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".
Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".
Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."
British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges
The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.
On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."
Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"
Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow through."
Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".
May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.
A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.
The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.
Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.
A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.