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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address 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 I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".

These messages were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.

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 closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

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

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.

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

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

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.