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Devin Nunes Tried, Failed, to Dig Up Dirt on Christopher Steele From Britain’s Spy Agencies

Agencies declined to meet Trump ally, reportedly worried he was “trying to stir up a controversy.”

Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Devin Nunes traveled to London this month to dig up dirt on Christopher Steele, the ex-M16 spy responsible for the dossier alleging a conspiracy between Trump and Moscow officials prior to the 2016 election, according to a Tuesday report from The Atlantic. But the elite national-security agencies with which Nunes reportedly requested meetings—MI5, MI6, and Britain’s Government Communications Headquarters—all denied him access. A source told The Atlantic the organizations were wary of Nunes’ overtures, and believed he may have been “trying to stir up a controversy.” This isn’t the first time Nunes has gone after Steele: Last summer, two of his aides traveled to London without the U.S. Embassy or British government’s approval in an attempt to speak with the former spy; the aides were subsequently turned away by Steele’s lawyer. The Atlantic adds that Nunes, a California Republican and Trump ally, is one of the few continuing to work to discredit Steele and other elements of the Russia probe.