Correspondence Uncover the late financier and Steve Bannon Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of the former president's key advisers before resigning from the White House in August 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the 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 delayed my talk don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by matching the dates, events, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

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

Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier 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 most highly paid booking agent in history ".

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

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

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

On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are trying to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

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

A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.

Charles Allen
Charles Allen

A tech journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and their impact on business.