🔗 Share this article

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

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop 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 deceased convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.

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

Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, 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 aide.

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

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

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

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

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

Some of those referenced 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, two years before Epstein was first arrested.