British politician and Brexit backer Nigel Farage is a “person of interest” in the ongoing investigation into Russia potentially meddling in the U.S. presidential election, according to the Guardian.
Citing “sources with knowledge of the situation,” the Guardian reported that “the former Ukip leader had raised the interest of FBI investigators because of his relationships with individuals connected to both the Trump campaign” and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
However, Farage took to Twitter to mock the report.
In response to the Guardian article, it has taken me a long time to finish reading because I am laughing so much at this fake news.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) June 1, 2017
This hysterical attempt to associate me with the Putin regime is a result of the liberal elite being unable to accept Brexit and Trump.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) June 1, 2017
I consider it extremely doubtful that I could be a person of interest to the FBI as I have no connections to Russia.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) June 1, 2017
The Guardian reported, “Farage has not been accused of wrongdoing and is not a suspect or a target” of the investigation but “investigators believe he may have information about the acts that are under investigation and he may therefore be subject to their scrutiny.”
Citing sources, the report claimed that Farage’s “proximity” to people who are important figures in the investigation is being looked at to determine how Russian officials could have potentially meddled in the election to influence results that would help Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton.
“If you triangulate Russia, WikiLeaks, Assange and Trump associates the person who comes up with the most hits is Nigel Farage,” a source told Guardian.
Farage’s spokesperson issued the following statement to the Guardian: “Nigel has never been to Russia, let alone worked with their authorities.”