🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

These messages were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.

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

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

Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

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

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

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

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.