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

The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".

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

The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

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

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.