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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".

These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the records 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 involvement by matching the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's closest aides 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 producing a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to 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 booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

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

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

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are trying to proceed. May soon…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

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

Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.