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Tony Blair ‘warned Donald Trump UK may have spied on him’ Tony Blair ‘warned Donald Trump UK may have spied on him’
(35 minutes later)
Donald Trump’s advisers were told by Tony Blair that it was possible that British intelligence had put him under surveillance during the presidential election, according to the author Michael Wolff.Donald Trump’s advisers were told by Tony Blair that it was possible that British intelligence had put him under surveillance during the presidential election, according to the author Michael Wolff.
The former prime minister reportedly visited the White House in February last year to meet Trump’s son-in-law and senior aide Jared Kushner.The former prime minister reportedly visited the White House in February last year to meet Trump’s son-in-law and senior aide Jared Kushner.
The claim was made in Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, by Wolff, a former Guardian columnist and Rupert Murdoch biographer. The claim was made in Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House by Wolff, a former Guardian columnist and a biographer of Rupert Murdoch.
Wolff writes that during the secret meeting Blair shared a “juicy nugget of information” which “churned and festered” in the president’s mind. Wolff wrote that during the secret meeting Blair shared a “juicy nugget of information”, which “churned and festered” in the president’s mind.
Wolff writes that Blair suggested there was a possibility “that the British had had the Trump campaign staff under surveillance, monitoring its telephone calls and other communications and possibly even Trump himself”. Wolff wrote that Blair suggested there was a possibility “that the British had had the Trump campaign staff under surveillance, monitoring its telephone calls and other communications and possibly even Trump himself”.
The claim was dismissed as “categorically absurd” by representatives for Blair, who now runs a consultancy business as well as various foundations set up in his name. A spokeswoman for Blair said on Wednesday night: “They are a complete fabrication, have no basis in reality and are simply untrue.”The claim was dismissed as “categorically absurd” by representatives for Blair, who now runs a consultancy business as well as various foundations set up in his name. A spokeswoman for Blair said on Wednesday night: “They are a complete fabrication, have no basis in reality and are simply untrue.”
Early in Trump’s presidency a Fox News commentator claimed that three intelligence sources had confirmed to him that the Obama administration had used the British surveillance agency GCHQ to spy on Trump so that there would be “no American fingerprints on this”.Early in Trump’s presidency a Fox News commentator claimed that three intelligence sources had confirmed to him that the Obama administration had used the British surveillance agency GCHQ to spy on Trump so that there would be “no American fingerprints on this”.
Trump had previously accused Barack Obama of tapping his phones during the election. The claim that British intelligence was involved was repeated in March by the then White House press secretary, Sean Spicer. At the time it was dismissed as “utterly ridiculous” by a GCHQ spokesperson.Trump had previously accused Barack Obama of tapping his phones during the election. The claim that British intelligence was involved was repeated in March by the then White House press secretary, Sean Spicer. At the time it was dismissed as “utterly ridiculous” by a GCHQ spokesperson.
In Wolff’s book, he also said Blair had explained “that the Obama administration would not have asked the British to spy on the Trump campaign [but] the Brits would have been led to understand how helpful it might be if they did”.In Wolff’s book, he also said Blair had explained “that the Obama administration would not have asked the British to spy on the Trump campaign [but] the Brits would have been led to understand how helpful it might be if they did”.
Wolff said it was not clear whether the information was “rumor, informed conjecture, his own speculation or solid stuff” but that it had been shared because Blair had been angling to be Trump’s Middle East envoy.Wolff said it was not clear whether the information was “rumor, informed conjecture, his own speculation or solid stuff” but that it had been shared because Blair had been angling to be Trump’s Middle East envoy.
Similar claims were made in March last year and were dismissed by representatives of Blair as “so far beyond speculation there isn’t a word for it”.Similar claims were made in March last year and were dismissed by representatives of Blair as “so far beyond speculation there isn’t a word for it”.
At the time a spokesman said: “He has not discussed any role. This is completely overblown.”At the time a spokesman said: “He has not discussed any role. This is completely overblown.”