Emails Reveal Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon Connection

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

The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".

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

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends 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 wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

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

On the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "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 US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.