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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".

These messages were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh 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 request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

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

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

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

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.