🔗 Share this article

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

The event was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".

These messages were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

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

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

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

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

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

Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.