🔗 Share this article

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

The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

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

These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.

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

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

Bannon was one of 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 August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

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

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

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

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.

On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow through."

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

Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.