🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".

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

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, events, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier 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 highest-paid booking agent in history ".

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

Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

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

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

Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.