🔗 Share this article

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

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the lead-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 prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

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

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

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

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

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

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

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

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