Trump asked Aust PM for help to investigate Mueller inquiry

American President Donald Trump asked Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his nation’s help in investigating the origins of the Mueller investigation into Russian election interference. An Australian Federal Government spokesperson confirmed the request, which is believed to have happened weeks ago after Mr Trump criticised Australia over the investigation by former FBI head Robert Mueller.

The Mueller probe, which Mr Trump repeatedly condemned as a “witch hunt”, found while there was no evidence that Mr Trump’s campaign conspired with Russia during the 2016 election, it was unable to exonerate him for obstruction of justice. A White House source confirmed that Mr Trump asked Mr Morrison to assist a Justice Department investigation into the Mueller probe being carried out by U.S. Attorney-General William Barr.

“The Australian Government has always been ready to assist and cooperate with efforts that help shed further light on the matters under investigation,” a Federal Government spokesperson told the ABC. “The PM confirmed this readiness once again in conversation with the President.” Sources have told the ABC that Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Joe Hockey, wrote to Mr Trump’s chief of staff seeking an explanation after he heard the President’s criticism of Australia on May 25. The call between Mr Trump and Mr Morrison happened months later, in the first week in September, before the Prime Minister travelled to the United States, where he met with Mr Trump in Washington and Ohio. Australia’s former high commissioner to the United Kingdom, Alexander Downer, helped trigger the initial FBI investigation into Mr Trump’s links with Russia.