🔗 Share this article

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

The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".

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

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

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

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

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

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.