🔗 Share this article

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

The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

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

These messages were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part 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 inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

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

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "They are trying to move on. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

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

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