🔗 Share this article

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".

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

The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

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

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

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

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.