Convicted former Trump adviser George Papadopoulos has unleashed a spray of tweets about the man who reportedly dobbed him in to the FBI and launched the investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia, former Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer.
Papadopoulos was the first person to plead guilty in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election. He pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his communications in early 2016 with a London professor who told him the Russians had "dirt" on Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton.
Last week he was sentenced to 14 days in prison.
In December The New York Times reported that in May 2016 at a London bar, Papadopoulos had told Downer, who was then Australia's ambassador to the UK, that he knew Russia had information that would embarrass Hillary Clinton.
Downer reportedly passed on this information to the Australian government, which then passed it along to American authorities, resulting in the FBI kicking off an investigation into potential links between the campaign to elect Donald Trump president and Russia.
In a series of tweets late on Monday night Papadopoulous recounted the meeting and said Downer had wanted to meet him "under incredibly suspicious circumstances".
Papadopoulos noted that Downer once wore fishnet stockings, and said at the meeting Downer ordered him to stop bothering then UK PM David Cameron.
I found it so odd that Downer, who gained notoriety in Australia for wearing women's fish nets, invited me to "order" me to stop "bothering" his good friend David Cameron. And told me my views were hostile to British interests.
Downer, Australia's foreign minister for 11 years, posed for a photo for charity in fishnet stockings in 1996.
Papadopoulos alleged that nothing in the meeting was about Australia's relationship with the US, but about ties to energy companies in Israel, and alleged Downer had ties to the British spy agency MI6 and the Clinton family.
So basically, for those paying attention, we have a Clinton friend, connected to the MI6, and private intelligence organizations in London, probing me about my ties to the energy business offshore Israel. Nothing about the US-Australia relationship.
Yet I supposedly told THAT individual about emails. Something I have no recollection ever discussing.
He said the notion that Downer would "randomly reach out" for a "gin and tonic" is "laughable".
"Some organisation or entity sent him to meet me," he said.
"For the sake of our republic and the integrity of this investigation, I think it's time Downer is as exposed as [former CIA agent] Christoper Steele."
Downer declined to comment when contacted by BuzzFeed News.
Downer is no longer Australia's representative in London, having been replaced by former attorney-general George Brandis.
Downer's last foray into public life was in support of his daughter's failed attempt to win back the South Australian seat of Mayo in July. Here he is being caught double dipping a chip at the election night party.
