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

The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

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

These messages were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.

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

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 key aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

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

But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."

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

Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.