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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by numerous demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".

These messages were published on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his identity by matching the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For example, 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 on November 16.

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

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

Bannon served as Trump's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his podcast earlier this year, he stated: "We plan to release the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r quite capable assistant", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

The published messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to proceed. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the guys here have no balls" and noted "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

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

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

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

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.