🔗 Share this article

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

The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".

These exchanges were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

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

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

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

On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow through."

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

May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records 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 release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.