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

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent helper".

These messages were released on Wednesday together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

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

Bannon was one of the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.