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

The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".

These messages were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "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 Messages

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

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

The US House of Representatives will decide 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 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.