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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".

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

These messages were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

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 closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

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

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

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

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.