(DailyVantage.com) – Donald Trump faces a costly setback in the UK as a court orders him to pay a substantial sum following his unsuccessful lawsuit against Christopher Steele.
At a Glance
- A British judge ordered Donald Trump to pay over 625,000 pounds ($820,000) in legal costs to Orbis Business Intelligence.
- Trump sued Orbis in 2022 over a dossier alleging illicit acts in Russia.
- The dossier, compiled by Christopher Steele and funded by Democrats, alleged Trump’s compromise by Russian agents.
- Trump denied allegations, stating claims were “wholly untrue” and harmful to his reputation.
The Steele Dossier Controversy
The Steele dossier, central to Trump’s legal challenge, contained allegations that Trump was “compromised” by Russian operatives. Compiled by Christopher Steele, a former MI6 officer, and partly funded by Democrats, the dossier emerged before the 2016 election, casting a shadow over Trump’s interactions in Russia. Judge Karen Steyn found no legal ground for a trial, dismissing Trump’s case in February 2024.
Judge Steyn termed the lawsuit “bound to fail” due to its delayed filing, preventing a deeper court assessment of the dossier’s content. Trump’s legal arguments focused on alleged data law violations by Orbis, yet the High Court saw no basis for these claims to advance.
Trump’s Legal Obligations
With Trump losing the case, financial repercussions followed. Initially, the former president did not fulfill the requirement to cover legal costs totaling £625,000. Judge Jason Rowley later set the specific payment at £626,058.98, alongside a 12% daily interest rate. This ruling underscored the financial consequences tied to the failed suit.
Trump’s emphatic protestations against the allegations persisted, describing them as “wholly untrue” and damaging. His team labeled Steele’s claims as “shocking and scandalous,” arguing their invalidity before any British legal resolution clarified their accuracy.
Conclusion and Financial Impact
Judge Steyn’s dismissal seemed predicated on technical legal grounds more than a substantive dossier inquiry. The court’s focus on the timing of the suit, rather than dossier claims, signals procedural priorities over political narratives. Regardless, the result leaves Trump with a significant debt obligation set by the UK court.
This legal chapter closes with Trump’s case nullified and financial orders in place. While Trump contests dossier allegations, the impasse demonstrates complex international legal dynamics involving figures of major political influence across borders.
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