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

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".

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

These messages were published on this week together with 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 text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

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

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

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

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

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to move on. may soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.