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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 event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

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

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection 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 conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

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

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

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

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others get the commitment of your follow through."

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

Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.