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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".

These messages were released on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.

On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow through."

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

Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

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

Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.