Donald Trump Sues British Spy Firm Over Dossier Allegations
Background
Donald Trump has sued the company founded by Christopher Steele, a former British spy, over a dossier that contained rumors and uncorroborated allegations about him. The dossier was published in 2016 and caused a political storm just before Trump’s inauguration.
The Lawsuit
Trump’s lawyer, Hugh Tomlinson, told a London judge that the ex-president plans to prove that the allegations in the dossier are false and harmed his reputation. Trump is seeking damages from Orbis Business Intelligence for allegedly violating British data protection laws.
Steele’s Firm Wants the Case Thrown Out
Steele’s firm, Orbis Business Intelligence, is seeking to have the case thrown out. A judge has said she will rule at a later date after hearing arguments in London’s High Court.
Trump’s Legal Problems
This lawsuit comes as Trump is facing legal problems on the other side of the Atlantic. Trump’s lawyers are currently fighting a civil fraud trial in New York alleging he and company executives deceived banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth to secure loans and make deals. He also faces four separate criminal cases for allegations including mishandling classified documents, trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and paying hush money to a porn actress to cover up an affair.
Trump’s Witness Statement
In a written witness statement, Trump said that despite Steele’s assertions the allegations have not been disproven, they were “wholly untrue.” Trump said he had not engaged in “perverted sexual behavior including the hiring of prostitutes … in the presidential suite of a hotel in Moscow,” taken part in “sex parties” in St. Petersburg, bribed Russian officials, or provided them with “sufficient material to blackmail me.” He also said he had not bribed, coerced or silenced witnesses.
Conclusion
The lawsuit is ongoing, and it remains to be seen whether Trump will be able to prove that the allegations in the dossier are false. However, the case highlights the ongoing legal and political fallout from the 2016 presidential election.
FAQs
Q: What is the dossier?
A: The dossier is a report compiled by Christopher Steele, a former British spy, that contains rumors and uncorroborated allegations about Donald Trump.
Q: What are the allegations in the dossier?
A: The dossier alleges that Trump engaged in “perverted sexual behavior,” took part in “sex parties” in St. Petersburg, bribed Russian officials, and provided them with “sufficient material to blackmail him.”
Q: Why is Trump suing Steele’s firm?
A: Trump is suing Steele’s firm, Orbis Business Intelligence, for allegedly violating British data protection laws and for the harm caused to his reputation by the allegations in the dossier.
Q: What is the current status of the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit is ongoing, and a judge has said she will rule at a later date after hearing arguments in London’s High Court.