🔗 Share this article

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

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

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

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his identity by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

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

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

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

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

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

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages 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 says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.