The former M16 spy behind the dossier which linked Donald Trump and Russian collusion has broken his 18-month silence by taking a swipe at the US President.
Christopher Steele, in an email to the editor of Vanity Fair, said it was "hard to speak unpalatable truths to power" and appeared to level criticism at Vladimir Putin.
The content of the email has been seen by Sky News, and is reported to say: "I find myself in the company of many talented and distinguished people, although I personally would not accord such accolades to some of the other foreign nationals included in the list.
"In these strange and troubling times, it is hard to speak unpalatable truths to power, but I believe we all still have a duty to do so.
"I salute those on your list, and otherwise, who have had the courage to speak out over the last year, often at great personal cost.
"At a time when governance is so distorted and one-sided, as I believe it currently is in the United States, the media has a key role to play in holding it accountable."
Mr Steele’s dossier included claims that Mr Trump paid prostitutes to perform obscene sex acts during a visit to Russia – an unsubstantiated allegation that he has always vehemently denied.
The dossier includes unsubstantiated claims that Russians possess videos involving prostitutes, filmed during a 2013 visit by Trump to a luxury Moscow hotel for the Miss Universe contest, supposedly as a potential means for blackmail.
It also alleges that Trump advisers including his lawyer Michael Cohen maintained regular contact with Russian officials and others linked to Russian intelligence during the election and were exchanging information for "at least" eight years.
US intelligence chiefs who briefed Trump on alleged Russian interference in January reportedly included a two-page summary of the most credible claims from the collection of memos.
Profile | Christopher Steele
They were compiled before and after the November 8 election which Trump won. The president has repeatedly described Russian interference in the election as a "total fabrication".
Mr Steele’s emails were sent to the magazine after he was picked in its list of the 100 most influential people in the media, politics, entertainment and finance.
The Former spy appears at number 38 in a list topped by Robert Mueller – the former FBI director leading the inquiry into alleged Russian involvement in the US elections.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is at five,former First Lady Michelle Obama is at six, Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg is at seven and Beyoncé one spot below him at eight.
Athletes LeBron James and Serena Williams feature in the top 20, at 13 and 14 respectively, as well as Elon Musk at 19.
The MeToo movement is recognised, with the founders of Time’s Up collectively listed at number 6.
Putin is also on the list at number 58. Mr Trump did not make the top 100.
In the email, Mr Steele said he was surprised to make the list, given that he is British, according to Sky News.
But it doesn’t appear he is planning a trip across the Atlantic. He wrote: "In more normal times, I would have welcomed the opportunity to join you at your New Establishment Summit in the US this week.
"Sadly, in the present legal and political situation I am unable to do so, but I sincerely hope and trust that these circumstances will change soon."
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