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

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.