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

The event was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, scheduled to board a flight that evening, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Activists delayed speech don't think I can catch the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "There. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were released on this week alongside over 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the Congressional committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's name is redacted. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by matching the timeline, occurrences, and places mentioned.

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

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, did not reply on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as the president's key advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but stepped down from the administration in August 2017.

He has acknowledged he was making a film about Epstein prior to his passing and reportedly has approximately 15 hours of recordings. In a live taping of his podcast recently, he said: "We plan to publish the film, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed materials suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein extended than being his biographer, with the convicted paedophile at times seeming to act like a aide.

A few days before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a private plane for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "what's it like to have the highest-paid travel agent in the world ".

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

Discussing a visit to "AD" in another message, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're taken care of."

British Affairs Mentioned in Messages

The released communications also show Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in 2018.

Earlier on the same day his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this morning with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a allusion to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the period, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Best-- so others see the commitment of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon replied: "I don't see how however the guys over here have no balls" and noted "Johnson ; Gove; Rees Mogg; David Davis - someone has to take charge".

Theresa May was eventually toppled in May 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of no confidence in late 2018.

A spokesman for Reform UK informed media: "Nigel Farage has not been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its files concerning its probe into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was renewed recently after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

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