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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious 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 speech don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".

These exchanges were published 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 contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, 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 presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

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

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Exchanges

The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

On the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

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

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the people over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

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

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. 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 first arrested.