🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".

These messages were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming 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 disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

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

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."

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

Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting 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 passed away in prison in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.