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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, previously Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a speech at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by numerous protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Protesters slowed down my talk I doubt I can catch the flight we r enroute to the airport".

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

These messages were published on this week alongside more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex crimes.

The release by the Congressional committee includes an text conversation where Bannon's name is withheld. Media outlets managed to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations referenced.

For example, Epstein talks about chartering a jet from Scotland for the redacted user in the messages, and offers praise their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on 14 November, and gave the talk at the Oxford two days later.

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

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon was one of Trump's closest advisers in the lead-up to the presidential election and in the early days of his presidency, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

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

But the newly released documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the exchange in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good asst", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing UK politics in that year.

Earlier on the day of his address at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the Brexit thing this morning with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling UK prime minister at the time, he added: "They are attempting to move on. May soon…"

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

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "I don't see how BUT the people here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

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

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the Department of Justice should release all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in jail in that year.

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

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years prior to Epstein was initially charged.