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

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".

These exchanges were released on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his identity by matching the dates, events, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about 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 issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 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 justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

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

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.