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

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".

These exchanges were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

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

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

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

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited recently after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.