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

The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".

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 contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford 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 served as the president's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

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

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and 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 make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's associations 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 consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.