🔗 Share this article

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

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

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

'I'll make sure you're well looked after'

Bannon was one of the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A spokesman for the political party told media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.