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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 Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

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

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

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

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

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

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

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records 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 publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.