Epstein and Steve Bannon discuss Tommy Robinson in newly released files

Newly released files show convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon, former strategist for US President Donald Trump, discussing far-right British activist Tommy Robinson.

On 3 July 2019, Epstein shared an article with Bannon, known to be a Robinson ally, reporting that the activist had been found guilty of contempt of court for live-streaming defendants accused of sexually abusing young girls in a 2018 trial.

Bannon replied, calling Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, the "'backbone of England'".

Epstein replied: "Thats why the pound so low".

Bannon said: "Cheap @ any price".

It's unclear from the messages whether the two were praising Robinson and criticising Britain or mocking the far-right activist.

Bannon had reportedly previously described Robinson as the "backbone" of the country.

LBC radio's political editor Theo Usherwood claimed on 15 July the previous year, 2018, that Bannon said to him off-air after a heated interview: "You fucking liberal elite. Tommy Robinson is the backbone of this country."

In August 2018, when Robinson was released from prison after being held on contempt charges, Epstein had messaged Bannon saying: "Tommy Robinson. !! good work".

Bannon replied, saying: "Thanks".

Bannon publicly defended Robinson when he was arrested, saying, "he’s got to be released from prison".

Robinson, a former tanning salon owner, has over the past two decades built a violent street movement focused on intimidating the British-Muslim community and stoking fears of an Islamic takeover of the UK.

He has received prison sentences and community orders since 2003 for, among other things, football brawling, travelling on another man's passport to the US, mortgage fraud, possession of drugs, threatening behaviour and breach of a court order.

In 2021, he lost a libel lawsuit over his slurs against a Syrian schoolboy who was filmed being attacked at school. In a video posted on Facebook, Robinson had claimed the boy "violently attacks young English girls in his school" - comments for which he was sued.