🔗 Share this article

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".

These exchanges were released on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to establish his identity by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

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

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

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

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

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

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

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.