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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 prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".

These messages were released on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.

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

'I'll make sure you're well looked after'

Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents indicate 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 prior to the exchange 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 assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

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

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

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

A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

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