🔗 Share this article

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

The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

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

These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

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

Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

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

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.