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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed my talk I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were released on this week alongside over 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the dates, events, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered 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 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 admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

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

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

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

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

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

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

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

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

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.