FROM ‘NEVER WORKED’ TO ‘WORK BEING CAST AS NEFARIOUS’

I worked with Oleg Deripaska almost a decade ago representing him on business and personal matters in countries where he had investments. My work for Mr Deripaska did not involve representing Russia’s political interests. — PAUL MANAFORT, Donald Trump’s campaign chairman (March-August 2016)

Paul Manafort (left) pitched the plans to Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska, a close Putin ally with whom Mr Manafort eventually signed a $10 million annual contract beginning in 2006

Manafort was asked to resign (as Trump’s campaign chief) after it was revealed he had orchestrated a covert lobbying operation until 2014 on behalf of Ukraine’s ruling pro-Russian political party