Correspondence Highlight the late financier and former Trump strategist Connection

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

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".

These messages were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

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

On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

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

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was initially charged.