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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

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

These messages were published on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual 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 two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

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

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.