🔗 Share this article

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".

These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, events, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly 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 indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.

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

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

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

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

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.