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

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, who was due to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an email: "Activists delayed speech I doubt I can make the plane we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein responded: "There. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an excellent assistant".

These messages were released on this week 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 iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the redacted user in the chat, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on 14 November, and delivered the speech at the Oxford two days later.

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

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

Bannon was one of the president's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the White House in 2017.

He has acknowledged he was producing a documentary about Epstein before his passing and reportedly has around 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his show recently, he stated: "We plan to publish the series, the five-part series, in the coming year - at the start of next year."

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

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon thanked him: "You are pretty good assistant", to which Epstein responded "Therapies. Not Included".

Discussing a trip to "Abu Dhabi" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The published messages also show Bannon and Epstein talking about UK politics in 2018.

On the day of his speech at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit thing this day with Farage, Boris and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the struggling British leader at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view staying as long as you can uk. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein asked: "Will Theresa May remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely however the people here have no balls" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

Theresa May was finally removed in 2019 after withstanding two votes of no confidence in December 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK told media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The Congress will vote next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files related to its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed this week after the publication of more than 20,000 documents from his estate.

Some of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any impropriety. The leader was a friend of Epstein's for years, but says they parted ways in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.