🔗 Share this article

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

The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".

These messages were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, events, and places referenced.

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

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

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

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

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

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed 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 leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.