🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".

These messages were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

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 aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit 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 added: "They are attempting to move on. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.