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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 interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent helper".

These exchanges were published on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

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

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon participated in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's key aides in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We're going 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 disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Exchanges

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.

On the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he continued: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so others see the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

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

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

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.