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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".

These messages were published on this week alongside more than 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 identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union 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 served as Trump's key advisers in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

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

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.