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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 speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".

These messages were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange 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 was one of the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

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

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob 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 meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

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

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.