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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

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

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, events, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

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

The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.