🔗 Share this article

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

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. 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 this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.

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

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

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

Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

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

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

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

A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.