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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".

These messages were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford 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 was one of Trump's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, 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 private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Attention 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 rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.