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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".

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

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

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

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

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

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

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