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

The event was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".

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

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

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

Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents 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 before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

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

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

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

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

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

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

The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.