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

The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

These messages were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

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

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times 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 travel agent in history ".

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

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

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

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

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."

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

May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.