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

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

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".

These messages were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.

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

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment 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 during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection 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 conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

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

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

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

On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "They are trying to move on. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

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

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

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

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