In a recent legal development, former U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated legal proceedings against British ex-spy Christopher Steele and his company, Orbis Business Intelligence. Trump alleges that the dossier compiled by Steele in 2016 contained false and damaging claims about him, leading to reputational harm. The lawsuit, which claims violations of British data protection laws, aims to hold Steele’s firm accountable for the unverified and sensational allegations made in the report.
The dossier, which emerged just before Trump’s inauguration, included uncorroborated information and rumors about Trump’s personal and business life. Trump’s lawyer, Hugh Tomlinson, argued in court that the former president suffered significant personal and reputational damage due to the dossier’s claims. Trump vehemently denied the allegations in a written witness statement, asserting that the accusations of perverted sexual behavior, bribery of Russian officials, and other misconduct were entirely untrue.
Orbis Business Intelligence, represented by attorney Antony White, is seeking to dismiss the case, contending that the dossier was never intended for public release and was published without their consent by BuzzFeed. White also highlighted Trump’s past legal actions against Steele and his firm, suggesting a pattern of vexatious claims.
This lawsuit adds to Trump’s legal challenges, which include an ongoing civil fraud trial in New York and several criminal cases. Despite his controversial reputation, Trump’s legal team maintains that the current case aims to establish the falsehood of the dossier’s contents, rather than seeking revenge or financial harm to Orbis.
The court proceedings are ongoing, with a judgment expected at a later date. The case has generated significant public interest, given its potential implications for the credibility of the dossier and the individuals involved.
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