🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".

These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

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

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

Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may soon…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its files related to 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 documents from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.