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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the plane we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".

These messages were released on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places referenced.

For example, 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 faces no allegations of any wrongdoing, declined to comment on the inquiry.

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

Bannon was one of Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show earlier this year, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

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

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a trip to "AD" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're taken care of."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

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

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

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the struggling UK prime minister at the period, he added: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"

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

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

Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The Congress will vote soon on whether the justice department should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

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

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.