🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.