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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, was in the UK to deliver a speech at the Oxford Union.

The speech was disrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".

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

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC has been able to confirm his identity by matching the timeline, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein discusses arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, declined to comment on the inquiry.

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

Bannon served as the president's closest 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 documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he stated: "We're going to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r quite capable asst", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Excluded".

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

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in 2018.

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

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. may soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can uk. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow through."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "I don't see how BUT the people here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - somebody has to take charge".

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

A spokesman for the political party informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is no evidence such a meeting took place.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

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

Some 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 fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.