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

The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can catch the plane we r enroute to the airport".

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

These exchanges were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford 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 served as the president's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

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

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.