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

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can make the plane 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: "U r an amazing assistant".

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

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

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

Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.

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

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

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

On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the people over here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

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

The Congress will decide soon on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for years, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.