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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".

These exchanges were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

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

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

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's key aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like 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 trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was finally removed in 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 meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

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