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

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down speech don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".

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

The release by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

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

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

Bannon served as Trump's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show 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 documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A few days prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure you are taken care of."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

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

Then, in what seems like a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The Congress 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.

Attention in Epstein's relationships with powerful figures was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 pages from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.