🔗 Share this article

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside more than 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 name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast 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 went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".

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

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

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 Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"

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

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

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

A representative 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 US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.