Former President Donald Trump faced a setback on Thursday in his legal battle against the authors of the controversial “Steele dossier” as a London judge dismissed his claim against Orbis Business Intelligence.
Trump’s claim against Orbis Business Intelligence : “Abuse of Process”
High Court Judge Karen Steyn deemed Trump’s claim against Orbis, founded by ex-MI6 officer Christopher Steele, as an abuse of process, halting the data protection claim from proceeding. She asserted there were “no compelling reasons” to allow the lawsuit to continue.
The Contentious Allegations
Trump sought compensation under British data protection laws over the publication of the 35-page dossier by Buzzfeed Inc. in 2017. The dossier alleged Trump’s involvement in “sex parties” in St. Petersburg and “golden showers” with prostitutes in Moscow during his time as president.
Trump’s claim against Orbis Business Intelligence : Unverified Claims
Despite the dossier’s sensational claims, many remain unverified or debunked by subsequent investigations. BuzzFeed emphasized the dossier’s unverified nature, leaving readers to draw their own conclusions.
Trump’s claim against Orbis Business Intelligence : Legal Hurdles
Trump’s legal team attempted to bolster their case by adding claims under the U.K. Data Protection Act 1998, alleging rights infringement. However, Judge Steyn disagreed, stating that the acts of data processing differed substantially from Trump’s original claims.
Time Constraints and Repercussions
Moreover, Trump’s new claims were outside the standard six-year limitation period. Judge Steyn dismissed the delayed claims, noting Trump’s explanation of focusing on his presidential duties lacked merit.
Trump’s claim against Orbis Business Intelligence : Legal Wrangling
Trump’s lawyers argued for the continuation of the original General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) claim, citing distress from the dossier’s publication. Yet, Judge Steyn dismissed this, asserting that the claim lacked reasonable grounds for compensation.
Compliance Order Denied
Additionally, Trump’s request for a compliance order to erase or restrict the dossier’s processing was rejected as “pointless” by Judge Steyn, citing its widespread availability online and Orbis’s commitment to deleting their copies.
Political Undercurrents
The Steele dossier, commissioned by Fusion GPS acting for Perkins Coie LLP, had ties to the Democratic National Committee and/or Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, adding a political dimension to the legal saga.
Legal Representation
In this legal clash, Trump is represented by Hugh Tomlinson KC and Kirsten Sjøvoll of Matrix Chambers, while Orbis is defended by Antony White KC and Edward Craven of Matrix Chambers, under the counsel of Bristows LLP.
