🔗 Share this article

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

The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

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

These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's closest advisers 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 admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time before 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 history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.

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

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A representative for the political party informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

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

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.