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

The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed my talk don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".

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

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

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

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

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

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

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.