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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were released on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

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 resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.

A short time before the exchange 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 expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

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

On the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

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

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.