🔗 Share this article

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

The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, 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 first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

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

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.