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

The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "U r an amazing assistant".

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

The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations mentioned.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a plane from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused 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 administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, next year - early next year."

But the newly released materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

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

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

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.