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

The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

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

These messages were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

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

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

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

'I'll make sure you're well looked after'

Bannon was one of the president's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

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

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

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

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

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

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

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those mentioned the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.