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

The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the flight we r enroute to the airport".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 950 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".

These messages were released on Wednesday alongside more than 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 name is withheld. The BBC managed to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and places referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and delivered the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

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 closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

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

But the recently disclosed materials indicate Bannon's relationship with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the convicted paedophile at times appearing to serve like a aide.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I'll make sure 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 day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Farage, Boris and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled British leader at the period, he continued: "The guys are attempting to proceed. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as much as you can in the UK. Best-- so people get the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May survive". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - somebody has to step up".

May was eventually toppled in 2019 after surviving two votes of lack of support in December 2018.

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

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who died 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 archives.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has consistently denied any impropriety. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for years, but claims they fell out in the 2000s, a couple of years before Epstein was initially charged.