Russian sources disappeared after Trump declassified ex-spy’s evidence, UK court told

Former MI6 officer’s witness statement criticises ‘reckless’ publication of Mueller testimony about ex-president’s Russia links

Donald Trump’s decision to declassify evidence given by a former British spy about the former US president’s alleged links with Russia led to the disappearance of two Russian sources, according to a court document.

Christopher Steele, who used to run MI6’s Russia desk, compiled the notorious “Steele dossier” investigating Trump’s connections to Russia. In a witness statement released on Tuesday, Steele said publication of his testimony to the Mueller investigation on the matter, originally classified secret, was an “egregious and reckless act” which “served no purpose other than to expose me and Orbis [Steele’s company], our sources and our methods”.