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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing helper".

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

The release by the House oversight committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, 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.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

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

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early 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 few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

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

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.