🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

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

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A representative for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

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