EXC: Christopher Steele feared Russian assassination after finding explosive Trump-Kremlin allegations.
Friends say threat of reprisal attacks was real, esp when he went to Washington pre-election.
Story unpacked in ep2 on link. Mini thread below 👇👇
playpodca.st/crossfire
Friends say threat of reprisal attacks was real, esp when he went to Washington pre-election.
Story unpacked in ep2 on link. Mini thread below 👇👇
playpodca.st/crossfire
Reminder re Steele - he’s the ex-MI6 agent who compiled a load of memos detailing allegations on Russian election meddling pre-2016.
Most controversially included the Trump Moscow hotel tape claim - always fiercely denied by president and never proven.
Most controversially included the Trump Moscow hotel tape claim - always fiercely denied by president and never proven.
Having talked to a bunch of Steele’s friends / associates, it is clear concerns re welfare were genuine.
In summer + autumn of 2016, as Steele elevated his findings via the FBI and then later with US journo briefings, his fears rose.
In summer + autumn of 2016, as Steele elevated his findings via the FBI and then later with US journo briefings, his fears rose.
Graham Davies, who’s known Steele for 30yrs+, told @Telegraph he was concerned for his friend.
“I deliberately never asked him whether he physically felt in danger... It's nevertheless a conclusion I firmly come to”
Said he feared someone would “harm his welfare”.
“I deliberately never asked him whether he physically felt in danger... It's nevertheless a conclusion I firmly come to”
Said he feared someone would “harm his welfare”.
Sir Andrew Wood, the ex-UK ambassador to Russia who Steele consulted on his memos, also knew he could be targeted.
Wood said there were people “who have reputations for violence, should we say, who might well wish to do something to stop it”.
Wood said there were people “who have reputations for violence, should we say, who might well wish to do something to stop it”.
NB - Wood was the person who eventually helped Steele get his dossier to Republican critics, flying to meet John McCain.
An elaborate scheme then saw a McCain aide fly to Heathrow + meet a man in a blue coat holding the FT... which was Steele.
(Wood discusses it in podcast)
An elaborate scheme then saw a McCain aide fly to Heathrow + meet a man in a blue coat holding the FT... which was Steele.
(Wood discusses it in podcast)
A source familiar with Steele’s thinking said he put the chances of being taken out by Russia at 5%.
Added Steele considered to be most at risk when briefing hacks in DC before dossier was public (therefore an incentive to suppress).
Added Steele considered to be most at risk when briefing hacks in DC before dossier was public (therefore an incentive to suppress).
He went to ground as soon as Buzzfeed published his memos in full (leaked after being passed to McCain) before Trump inauguration.
Stayed away from home. Eventually went back to work. Steele has never returned to America since ... nor, predictably, Russia.
Stayed away from home. Eventually went back to work. Steele has never returned to America since ... nor, predictably, Russia.
Have written up a more detailed take on this over here if you’re interested.
telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/02/2…
telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/02/2…
Glenn Simpson of Fusion GPS (the US firm which commissioned Steele) was among those who talked.
This is what he said when asked to describe Steele. ‘Engaging’, ‘witty’, has a ‘messianic streak’ on the threat from Russia.
This is what he said when asked to describe Steele. ‘Engaging’, ‘witty’, has a ‘messianic streak’ on the threat from Russia.
Would be delighted if anyone fancied listening to the full episode - four people connected to Steele describe what they know. Was great fun to pull together. Ratings/reviews v welcome!
playpodca.st/crossfire
playpodca.st/crossfire
