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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".

These messages were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

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

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides 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 acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 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 - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

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

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.