🔗 Share this article

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

The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 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 film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

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

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

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.