🔗 Share this article

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

The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

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

Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

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

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

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

On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

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

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.