🔗 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 board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".

These messages were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's key advisers 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 film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.

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 Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "They are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; 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 December 2018.

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

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

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

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.