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

The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing helper".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by matching the dates, events, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein discusses arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union on November 16.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in August 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a film about Epstein before his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A few days prior to 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 asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in that year.

On the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

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

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think remaining as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a meeting with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was renewed recently after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those referenced Trump, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.