🔗 Share this article

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

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

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

These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

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

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

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

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

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

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.