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

The event was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".

These exchanges were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated 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 was one of Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly 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 multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act 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 most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. May soon…"

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

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people over here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

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

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.