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

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".

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

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

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

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, 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 Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

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

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.