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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".

These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

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

On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can uk. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

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

A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

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