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In late 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 hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent helper".

These messages were released on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.

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

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others get the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the people here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was eventually removed in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the publication of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.