Original article by Andrew Tillett, Alice Uribe
The Australian Financial Review – Page: Online : 2-Jan-18

It has been revealed that the FBI investigation into whether Russia possibly interfered with the US 2016 election was apparently sparked by a comment to Alexander Downer. An aide to Donald Trump told Downer, Australia’s High Commissioner to the UK, in May 2016 that Russia had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton, Trump’s presidential rival at the time. This information was subsequently passed onto US intelligence officials, which led to the FBI investigation, which also looked at whether the Trump camp was in collusion with Russia. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull does not think the revelations concerning Downer will have any impact on his relationship with Trump.

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UNITED STATES. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, UNITED STATES. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, AUSTRALIAN STRATEGIC POLICY INSTITUTE LIMITED