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

The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing helper".

These messages were published on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the presidential 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 before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

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

On the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

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

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.