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

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

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".

These messages were released on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late 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 involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

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

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

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

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

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.