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

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists slowed down speech don't think I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "You are an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were published on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 documents from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by matching the dates, events, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the inquiry.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's closest aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but resigned from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his podcast recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

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

A few days before the exchange in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The published communications also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

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

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are trying to proceed. May today / tomorrow…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and added "Johnson ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

Theresa May was finally removed in May 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

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

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was first arrested.