🔗 Share this article

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

The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".

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

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

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

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

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

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

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

On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. May soon…"

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

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "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 US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.