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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his identity by matching the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

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

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his death and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

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

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

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "They are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people see the commitment of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for the political party informed media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting took place.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning 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 pages from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.