🔗 Share this article

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

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

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

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

'I'll make sure you're well looked after'

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

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

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

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

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

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.