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

The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

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

These exchanges were released on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". 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, declined to comment on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.