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In November 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 disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".

These messages were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing 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 stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

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

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

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

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

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

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

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.