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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an excellent assistant".

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

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release 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 being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "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 another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

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

On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

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

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A representative for the political party told media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.