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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

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

The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his identity by matching the dates, events, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

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

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

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

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.