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

The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing helper".

These messages were released on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

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

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the request for comment.

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

Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Not Included".

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

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

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

A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its records related to its probe into Epstein, who died 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 archives.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.