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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 prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

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

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A few days before 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 travel agent in history ".

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

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

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

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

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was finally removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The Congress 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 that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.