🔗 Share this article

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

The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".

These exchanges were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged 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 assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

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

On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

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

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.