Christopher Steele, the former MI6 officer who authored the controversial 2016 dossier alleging ties between Donald Trump and Russia, has launched a legal bid in Scotland. Steele is seeking a payment of £800,000, which he claims covers legal expenses incurred during a previous court battle.

This action follows a failed attempt by Donald Trump to sue Steele’s company, Orbis Business Intelligence, in the High Court in London. In that earlier case, Trump alleged that the dossier contained inaccurate information that caused him personal and professional damage. The London court ultimately dismissed Trump's claim, ruling that it was brought too late and lacked a realistic prospect of success.

Steele’s current move to the Scottish courts is an effort to recover the costs associated with defending that initial lawsuit. While the BBC reports the filing as a direct pursuit of these legal fees, the broader context remains rooted in the ongoing fallout from the 2016 election cycle and the persistent legal disputes surrounding the dossier's claims. As of now, representatives for Donald Trump have not issued a detailed public response to this specific Scottish filing, and the court has yet to issue a ruling on the merits of the cost recovery claim.