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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

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

These messages were published on this week together with more than 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused 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 lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his death and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We're going to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

But the newly released documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.

A short time before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you are taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Exchanges

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will vote soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in that year.

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

Some of those mentioned 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 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.