Loyal lawyer may ‘flip’ to prosecution side

DONALD TRUMP’S former personal lawyer, who is under scrutiny for his dealings with the president, has indicated he may “flip” and cooperate with prosecutors investigating the 2016 campaign.

Michael Cohen, who was at Mr Trump’s side for a decade, said his first loyalty was to “family and country,” not his former boss. Breaking a monthslong silence in an interview with ABC News, Mr Cohen said: “To be crystal clear, my wife, my daughter and my son, and this country, have my first loyalty.”

Mr Cohen once claimed he would “take a bullet” for Mr Trump, and was regarded as perhaps the most fiercely loyal member of his inner circle.

But there has been increasing speculation he would turn and give information to Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating whether there was collusion between Mr Trump’s presidential campaign and Russia.

After becoming Mr Trump’s personal attorney in 2007, Mr Cohen also operated as a self-styled “fixer”.

Tasks he carried out included paying $130,000 (£98,000) to Stormy Daniels, the porn star, stopping her going public with a claim she once had an affair with Mr Trump. Mr Cohen had his home and office raided by the FBI in April. He has not been arrested or charged.