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

The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

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

These exchanges were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland 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 on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

On the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for Reform UK told 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 vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died 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 estate.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.