Exclusive
Trump’s attorney general met Priti Patel as he sought UK help over investigation into Russia probe.
They met in London on July 29 - 3 days after Boris+Trump talked. Home Office hasn’t denied on-record they discussed investigation.
Summary...
telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/0…
Trump’s attorney general met Priti Patel as he sought UK help over investigation into Russia probe.
They met in London on July 29 - 3 days after Boris+Trump talked. Home Office hasn’t denied on-record they discussed investigation.
Summary...
telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/0…
Some context first
Earlier this year William Barr (the AG, above) announced an investigation into origins of Russia 2016 election meddling probe.
Essentially it’s looking into Trump claims that Obama officials overstepped the mark by probing Trump-Kremlin ties before that vote.
Earlier this year William Barr (the AG, above) announced an investigation into origins of Russia 2016 election meddling probe.
Essentially it’s looking into Trump claims that Obama officials overstepped the mark by probing Trump-Kremlin ties before that vote.
This week it reentered the spotlight when it emerged Trump urged Aussie PM to help the investigstion.
Britain caught up too as Trump suspects somehow UK / Aus / Italy intelligence services helped the Obama officials launch the inquiry.
Britain caught up too as Trump suspects somehow UK / Aus / Italy intelligence services helped the Obama officials launch the inquiry.
Have been putting in calls to a dozen+ UK and US officials past and present to understand how we are helping out with the investigation and what pressure is being applied.
Priti Patel is Barr’s opposite number. They met at a conference for the Five Eyes alliance in London this summer. (The network of US, UK, Aus, NZ, Canada that shares intel.)
Here’s a pic of the meeting.
Here’s a pic of the meeting.
Asked multiple Home Office spokesmen / aides if Patel and Barr discussed the investigation. They declined to deny on-record.
Instead a UK government spokesman said: "Investigations in the US are a matter for the US authorities. We won’t comment on the ongoing investigations."
Instead a UK government spokesman said: "Investigations in the US are a matter for the US authorities. We won’t comment on the ongoing investigations."
US Justice Department spokesman also did not comment specifically on the meeting and what was said.
Source in department said more broadly on the investigation: “All countries have been very helpful.”
Source in department said more broadly on the investigation: “All countries have been very helpful.”
Patel is not the only Johnson cabinet member to have met Barr this summer.
Geoffrey Cox, the UK attorney general, also met Barr at the five eyes conference.
See pic below. (Credit: PA Wire)
Geoffrey Cox, the UK attorney general, also met Barr at the five eyes conference.
See pic below. (Credit: PA Wire)
But Cox told me he didn’t recall discussing the probe with Barr.
"I certainly cannot confirm that he brought that up. I can't recall it.”
Fuller quote below.
"I certainly cannot confirm that he brought that up. I can't recall it.”
Fuller quote below.
Dominic Raab, Foreign Sec, met both Trump and Pence when he was out in Washington in early August. But a source familiar with meetings says no US requests over probe made during that visit.
The timing of the Patel-Barr chat is interesting as it comes just after a July 26 call between Trump + Boris.
Trump urged Boris to help with probe according to @scribblercat, who broke that story. CNN confirmed. ...
Trump urged Boris to help with probe according to @scribblercat, who broke that story. CNN confirmed. ...
No 10 source pushed back on the characterisation of the chat to @Telegraph. But did not deny categorically that the investigation came up.
Area is interesting because Trump’s facing fierce scrutiny over claims he has pressured foreign leaders to help his re-election bid.
That is at heart of the impeachment push over his Ukraine president call. But also his attempt to cast doubt over the Russian meddling probe.
That is at heart of the impeachment push over his Ukraine president call. But also his attempt to cast doubt over the Russian meddling probe.
Why is Trump so invested in this investigation?
Because the Russia probe - which became the Mueller probe - hung over his presidency for 2 years.
Any success in invalidating the probe helps nullify all the info it threw up, which boosts his 2016 re-election.
Because the Russia probe - which became the Mueller probe - hung over his presidency for 2 years.
Any success in invalidating the probe helps nullify all the info it threw up, which boosts his 2016 re-election.
British government is clearly v keen not to be talking about this. All relevant departments reluctant to go beyond the ‘we wont comment on investigations’ line being issued universally across Whitehall.
CNN reported that Trump thought Boris / Aussie PM more amendable to working with Barr than their predecessors.
Two ex-Theresa May aides tell me Trump didn’t mention probe in the June state visit despite threatening to do that.
Two ex-Theresa May aides tell me Trump didn’t mention probe in the June state visit despite threatening to do that.
Has also been widely reported that Barr met British intelligence officials in the summer to discuss investigation. Extra nugget of info - @Telegraph understands MI5 officials did not meet him.
So what? Why is this relevant?
In short - UK is being bounced into investigating itself, caught between desire to push back on Trump’s claims and need to keep him on side.
The degree to which Johnson government is playing ball is telling.
In short - UK is being bounced into investigating itself, caught between desire to push back on Trump’s claims and need to keep him on side.
The degree to which Johnson government is playing ball is telling.
Final point - this isn’t going away.
Here was Trump today.
“I was investigated and they think it could have been by UK, they think it could have been by Australia, they think it could have been by Italy.”
He sounds quite convinced.
(Ends)
Here was Trump today.
“I was investigated and they think it could have been by UK, they think it could have been by Australia, they think it could have been by Italy.”
He sounds quite convinced.
(Ends)
