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

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".

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

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key 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 film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the commitment of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can 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".

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

A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages 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 claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.