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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a address at the Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can make the plane we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an excellent assistant".

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

The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of the president's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

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

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

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

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

May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.