Emails Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties

Steve Bannon
Bannon served as Trump's top strategists before resigning from the administration in 2017

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

The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.

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

Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the run 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 acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

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

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

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

On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was finally toppled in May 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 meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

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

Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.

Gabrielle Bush
Gabrielle Bush

A seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in reviewing online casinos and slot games across Canada.