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

The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".

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

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange 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 history ".

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

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

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.

On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. may soon…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.