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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".

These exchanges were published on this week together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

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

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.