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

The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

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

'I'll make sure you're well looked after'

Bannon was one of the president's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, 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 disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

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