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

The event was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".

These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about 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 delivered the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

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

'I'll make sure you're well looked after'

Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.

A few days 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 booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

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

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Attention 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 rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.