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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 interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".

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

These messages 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 Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's key aides 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 2017.

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

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"

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

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

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

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

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

Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.