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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 hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days 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 around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

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

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

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