🔗 Share this article

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious 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 email: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".

These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

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

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its investigation 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 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 fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.