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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".

These messages were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages 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 withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

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

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

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

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see 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 guys over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

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

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.