🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".

These messages were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "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 Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.