🔗 Share this article

In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".

These exchanges were released on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

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

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

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment 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 during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

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

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

On the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.