🔗 Share this article

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

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

These messages were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

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

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

Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "They are trying to move on. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

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

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

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

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. 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 initially charged.