🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".

These messages were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

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

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

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

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

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

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

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

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.