🔗 Share this article

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

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

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

These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

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

On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

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

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.