🔗 Share this article

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

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "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 financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his identity by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key 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 acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

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

On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

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

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.