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

The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".

These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise 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 wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked 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 asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.