🔗 Share this article

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".

These messages were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends 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 is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

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

Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 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 show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

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

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

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

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

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

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected 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 first arrested.