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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

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

These messages were released on this week alongside more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

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

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 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 stated: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

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

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

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

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

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are trying to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally toppled in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

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

The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was first arrested.