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In late 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK to deliver a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

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

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

These messages were published on this week together with over 20,000 documents from the records of Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the Congressional committee includes an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. The BBC has been able to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the dates, occurrences, and locations mentioned.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a plane from the UK for the unnamed individual in the chat, and commends their "address at Oxford". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and delivered the speech 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 the president's closest advisers in the run up to the 2016 election and in the early days of his presidency, 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 footage. In a recording of his podcast earlier this year, he said: "We're going to publish the series, the multi-part documentary, in the coming year - early next year."

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

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein seemed to arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "how does it feel to have the most highly paid travel agent in history ".

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

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

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The published communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein discussing British political matters in that year.

On the day of his address at the Oxford Union, Bannon texted Epstein: "I became involved in the Brexit issue this day with Nigel, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a allusion to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he added: "The guys are attempting to proceed. may today / tomorrow…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow through."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa May remain in power". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely BUT the people over here have little courage" and added "Boris ; Michael Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to take charge".

May was finally toppled in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

A representative for the political party informed the BBC: "Farage has never been in a gathering with Steve Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest such a meeting occurred.

The Congress will decide next week on whether the justice department should make public all its records related to its investigation into Epstein, who died in prison in that year.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of over 20,000 pages from his archives.

A portion of those mentioned Trump, who has consistently rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.