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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".

These messages were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

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 first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days 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 highest-paid travel agent in history ".

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

Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

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

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. may soon…"

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

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

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

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.