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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

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

These messages were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

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

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow through."

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

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

A representative for Reform UK told media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.