Uni man resigns over Trump controversy

Professor caught up in claims US President colluded with Russia

A teaching fellow who got caught up in claims Donald Trump colluded with Russia to win the 2016 presidential election last week resigned from his post at the University of Stirling.

Professor Joseph Mifsud allegedly set up meetings between George Papadopoulos, an adviser to Trump’s presidential campaign, and Russian officials.

He was said to have put Mr Papadopoulos in contact with a Russian foreign ministry official and a woman, who Mr Papadopoulos mistakenly thought was the niece of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A US criminal indictment quotes communications between the aide and the academic which allegedly include Professor Mifsud informing him of “dirt” on Hillary Clinton.

It claims that he told Papadopoulos that the Russian government had information on Trump’s Democratic rival in the form of thousands of emails.

The professor, described in the papers as being an “associate of several Russian nationals” spoke to a national newspaper last month where he categorically denied any wrongdoing.

It has been reported that Professor Mifsud had been in a full-time role with the university since May but had worked there part-time for a year before that.

A University of Stirling spokesperson said: “Professor Mifsud is no longer employed by the university following his resignation on November 23, 2017.”

Professor Mifsud is the honorary director of the London Academy of Diplomacy (LAD), which is affiliated to the University of Stirling.

President Trump denied any collusion with Moscow and dismissed Mr Papadopoulos as a “low level volunteer”.

Professor Mifsud is no longer employed by the University