🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside more than 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 identity is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.