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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent assistant".

These exchanges were published on this week 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 includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

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 first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

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 highest-paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

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

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

The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.