An Australian government spokesman confirmed on Tuesday that the request was made, saying in a statement Australia has always been ready to assist and cooperate with efforts that help shed further light on the matters under investigation.
WASHINGTON (AFP) — Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed that US President Donald Trump asked him to help gather information for an inquiry into Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
The New York Times, citing two unidentified US officials, earlier reported the request to assist in the investigation — which aims to discredit the Russia probe — was made during a recent telephone call between Trump and Morrison.
An Australian government spokesman confirmed on Tuesday that the request was made, saying in a statement Australia “has always been ready to assist and cooperate with efforts that help shed further light on the matters under investigation.”
“The PM confirmed this readiness once again in conversation with the President.”
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The Times said the White House had restricted access to the transcript of the call, in a similar way to its handling of Trump’s recent call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
That call — during which Trump asked Zelensky to investigate his potential 2020 Democratic presidential opponent Joe Biden — has led to the opening of an impeachment inquiry in the Democratic-led House of Representatives.
The Washington Post reported separately that Attorney General Bill Barr has had multiple meetings overseas with foreign intelligence officials in an effort aimed at undermining US intelligence’s conclusion that Russian interference helped Trump to victory in the 2016 presidential election.
In addition to contacting the Australian leader, Barr has met with British intelligence and last week was in Italy, together with US Attorney John Durham, asking for Rome’s help in revisiting the 2016 Russia investigation, according to the newspaper.
The Post said Barr risked appearing to use his powers as head of the US Justice Department to help Trump politically when he is facing impeachment and, potentially, removal from office for abuse of power.
