Maltese professor says he knew nothing about ‘Clinton dirt’, says claims are ‘ridiculous’

Academic Joseph Mifsud has been quoted denying having any knowledge of emails hacked by Russians

Professor Joseph Mifsud
Professor Joseph Mifsud

London-based professor Joseph Mifsud met with ex-Trump advisor George Papadopoulos in April 2016, allegedly telling him that the Kremlin had “dirt” on Democratic Party candidate Hilary Clinton.

The meeting came before allegations of Russian meddling in the US presidential election, and its evidence appeared in court documents filed by the FBI against Papadopoulos, where information on the exchange between Papadopoulos and a professor is detailed.

Although Mifsud is not mentioned by name in the documents, he has since admitted that the 'professor' does refer to himself.

However, speaking to Italian newspaper La Repubblica after addressing a Rome conference on cybersecurity in Europe, Mifsud denied having knowledge of the “dirt” alleged by Papadopoulos.

He admitted to meeting Papadopoulos and described him as a friend, but insisted that he was not telling the truth. Mifsud explained that he is a Clinton supporter himself, and insisted that the accusations were “ridiculous”.

“No, I know nothing,” Mifsud said. “I categorically exclude I ever spoke of secrets about Hillary Clinton.”

But Mifsud said that he didn’t know anybody from the Russian government, except for Ivan Timofeev – the director of a Moscow-based think tank which is headquartered at the Russian foreign affairs ministry. “But this means absolutely nothing,” Mifsud is quoted telling La Repubblica.

A photograph taken in May 2014 also shows a photo of Mifsud with Russia’s ambassador to London.

Mifsud worked as personal assistant to former foreign minister, Michael Frendo.

When contacted by MaltaToday, Malta High Commissioner to London Norman Hamilton refused to comment on the matter.