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

The speech was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "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 disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and locations referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a aide.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet 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 trip to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit issue this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the guys over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

A spokesman for the political party told media: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

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

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.