Strip search at Heathrow for lawyer who met Donald Jr

THE Russian lawyer who met with Donald Trump’s son was strip-searched at Heathrow Airport on her way to New York, deepening the mystery over their discussion.

Natalia Veselnitskaya, who denies connections to the Kremlin, had complained of being “unjustifiably” detained at the airport on her way to the US to represent a client.

Miss Veselnitskaya had been denied a visa but managed to get special permission to enter the US for court hearings defending a well-connected Russian businessman.

However, she was still stopped en route to New York, raising further questions about the suitability for Donald Trump Jr to jump at the chance of meeting her. In a statement filed to court in January 2016 – six months before the meeting in Trump Tower – she said: “I was detained for two hours by Heathrow Airport officials who specifically targeted me on the basis of the parole number that the United States Government had assigned to me.

“During this detention I was unjustifiably subjected to a strip search, for no apparent reason.

“I should not be subjected to such humiliation when I have been promised entry into the United States.”

Ms Veselnitskaya was introduced to Mr Trump Jr through Rob Goldstone, a music publicist. Mr Goldstone manages Emin Agalarov, the son of a Russian billionaire and former son-in-law of Azerbaijan’s president.

Mr Goldstone, 57, who is travelling the world after deciding to take a career break, now finds himself at the centre of a scandal.

He faces being called to testify to the House Intelligence Committee which is investigating the alleged links between the Trump presidential campaign and Russian interference in the US election.

Friends and family insisted Mr Goldstone’s decision to go travelling – he is thought to be currently in Europe and last sent a Facebook post from Athens – was not linked to his involvement in setting up the meeting.

Mr Goldstone’s cousin, Harvey Wiseglass, who grew up with Mr Goldstone in Manchester, said: “I was amazed he was in the papers this morning. He’s a fun-loving bloke. I don’t think he has done anything wrong. It is upsetting to see the criticism he is getting. I am sure he is upset. He is in over his head.”

Jonathan Perry, a close friend who first met Mr Goldstone in the 1980s, said: “I have sent him a message of support. He just replied: ‘try not to talk to the press’.”

Mr Goldstone has promised to issue a statement on his role in the affair.