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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

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

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

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

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.