Robert Mueller 'seeks more information on Nigel Farage' in Russia-Trump investigation

Prosecutors quiz Jerome Corsi, a conservative commentator, about former Ukip leader 

Wednesday 14 November 2018 12:09 GMT
Comments
Donald Trump introduces Brexit leader Nigel Farage in Mississippi

Robert Mueller has asked for more details about Nigel Farage during his investigation into Russian interference in US politics, it has been reported.

Prosecutors working for Mr Mueller apparently questioned conservative commentator Jerome Corsi¸ who is expected to be indicted for perjury, about the former Ukip leader.

Mr Mueller has been tasked with heading up the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections and has so far interrogated Mr Corsi for more than 40 hours.

The 72-year-old former Washington bureau chief for Infowars.com has been under scrutiny for months in relation to the hacking and leaking of emails from Hilary Clinton’s campaign and the Democratic National Committee.

He believes he will be indicted for perjury after he said he inadvertently misspoke while being questioned.

Mr Mueller’s team apparently also questioned Mr Corsi about Ted Malloch, an American academic who has ties to both Mr Farage and Donald Trump.

“They asked about both Nigel and Ted Malloch, I can affirm that they did,” Mr Corsi told The Guardian.

“But I’m really not going into detail because I respect the special counsel and the legal process.”

Mr Farage has repeatedly denied he has any involvement with the Russians and has said he has not been contacted by anyone from Mr Mueller’s team.

In response to the claims, Mr Farage told The Independent: "The guy is a conspiracy theorist."

In the UK, there have been accusations that Russia may have influenced the Brexit vote.

The National Crime Agency has opened a criminal investigation into Arron Banks, a leading pro-Brexit businessman, who provided £8m in loans and donations to the Leave.EU campaign, backed by Mr Farage.

The watchdog has already said there are reasonable grounds to suspect that he was “not the true source” of the donations and said multiple crimes may have been committed.

He has previously admitted to holding multiple meetings with Russian officials in the run-up to the 2016 referendum.

Mr Banks has denied the claims dismissing speculation about his links to Russia.

He has insisted the money had come from one of his insurance companies, Rock Services.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Mr Banks has also been considered a “person of interest” in Mr Mueller's investigation into Russian interference.

The probe has been a regular cause of grievance for Mr Trump, who has publicly criticised the investigation on several occasions.

He recently took the long anticipated move to force out Jeff Sessions, the attorney general, after he ruled himself out of overseeing the investigation.

Mr Mueller would have reported to Mr Sessions but after accusations had emerged that the attorney general had met with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak at least twice while working with the Trump campaign he opted to recuse himself.

While under oath during his confirmation, Mr Sessions denied having made any contact.

Mr Trump was reportedly furious at Mr Session's decision to recuse himself and the president forcing him out has triggered fears that he is preparing to terminate Mr Mueller’s inquiry.

He has also recently gone on the offensive against Mr Mueller and his Russia investigation and has criticised the special counsel for not being confirmed by the Senate.

The president has claimed, without evidence, that there are "conflicts" that need to be addressed.

Mr Mueller had been Senate confirmed when he became the director of the FBI in 2001. There is also no legal requirement for a special counsel to be confirmed by the Senate.

Mr Trump said: “Mueller was not Senate confirmed. Why didn’t they get him Senate confirmed?”.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in