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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, was in the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that night, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters delayed speech don't think I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

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

These messages were released on Wednesday together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes.

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

For example, Epstein discusses chartering a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon participated in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, did not reply 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 presidency, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the film, the five-part series, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile occasionally seeming to act like a aide.

A few days prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have 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 assistant", 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."

British Affairs Discussed in Exchanges

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

Earlier on the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this morning with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "The guys are attempting to move on. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as much as you can uk. Ideal- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys here have little courage" and noted "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

Theresa May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK told media: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Steve Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter took place.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

Attention in Epstein's associations with powerful figures was reignited this week after the release of more than 20,000 documents from his archives.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any impropriety. The leader was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, a couple of years prior to Epstein was first arrested.