🔗 Share this article

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, 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 night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".

These exchanges were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.

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

Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

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

The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

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

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.