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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

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

These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted 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 embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

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

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.