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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK preparing for a address at the Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

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

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

The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, 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 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

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

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

Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We plan to release the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

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

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so others see the dedication of your follow-up."

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

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

A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with 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 release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

Interest 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 Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.