🔗 Share this article

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

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

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: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

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

A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

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

Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.