Correspondence Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Relationship

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's top strategists before resigning from the administration in 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".

These messages 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 text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech 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 the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was finally removed in May 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, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.

Brian Hamilton
Brian Hamilton

A political analyst and writer specializing in UK-EU relations and constitutional affairs, with over a decade of experience in Westminster.