🔗 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 disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

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

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave 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 was one of Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged 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 pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

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

On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

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

A representative for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.