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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".

These messages were released on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

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

'I'll make sure you're well looked after'

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

He has acknowledged 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 earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

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

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

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

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

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

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

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

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.