🔗 Share this article

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".

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

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump'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 acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told 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 occurred.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.