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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 Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

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

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

The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.

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

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We're going to publish the series, 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 extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.

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

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "The guys 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 through."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

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

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.