🔗 Share this article Messages Reveal the late financier and former Trump strategist Ties Bannon served as Trump's top strategists prior to resigning from the White House in August 2017 In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union. The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport". Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper". These messages were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes. The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned. For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16. Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment. Epstein's Assurance to Bannon Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017. He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year." But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant. A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have 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: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded". Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after." UK Politics Discussed in Messages The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018. Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg." Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…" Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up." Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up". May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018. A spokesman for the political party told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred. The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year. Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate. A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.