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

The event was disrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, who was due to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

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

These messages were released on Wednesday alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an text conversation where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to establish his identity by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the chat, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford Union two days later.

Bannon, who faces no allegations of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key aides in the lead-up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the administration in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a film about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a private plane for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid booking agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

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

British Affairs Discussed in Messages

The released messages also show Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in 2018.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit thing this day with Nigel, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are trying to move on. May today / tomorrow…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how however the guys here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

Theresa May was finally toppled in May 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told the BBC: "Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on whether the justice department should release all its files concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week 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 a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.