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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 prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".

These messages were published on Wednesday alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

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

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."

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

May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.