Emails Reveal the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's key advisers prior to stepping down from the White House in August 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

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

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

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

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

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

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so others 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 guys here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

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

Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Nicholas Byrd
Nicholas Byrd

Award-winning journalist with over 15 years of experience covering UK politics and international affairs, known for in-depth analysis and investigative reporting.