🔗 Share this article

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

The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".

These exchanges were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

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 closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act 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 highest-paid travel agent in history ".

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

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

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

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

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

The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.