🔗 Share this article

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

The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists 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 departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".

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

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

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

Bannon served as the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are trying to move on. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.