🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".

These messages were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.

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

'I'll make sure you're well looked after'

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time 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 history ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

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

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

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.