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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addresses reporters at the State Department. ©POOL/AFP Andrew Harnik

A State Department internal watchdog whose firing has alarmed lawmakers said he kept Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s office fully informed of what he was investigating, despite the top US diplomat’s assertion that he was unaware.

Inspector General Steve Linick was dismissed in May by President Donald Trump on the advice of Pompeo, prompting Democrats in Congress to investigate what they said could be an illegal act of reprisal.

In an interview with lawmakers that was released Wednesday, Linick said that Pompeo aide Brian Bulatao tried to stop his work.

“I would say that sometimes the relationship was professional; at other times, he tried to bully me,” Linick said.

Linick said that Pompeo sent written responses, declining an in-person interview, in a probe over an emergency declaration that allowed the Trump administration to bypass congressional opposition to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia.

Linick said he also directly contacted Pompeo’s office to seek documents related to a separate review of alleged misuse of government resources by Pompeo and his wife.

“I wanted to make sure everybody was aware so that they wouldn’t be surprised,” he said.

Pompeo earlier said that he responded to a single, unspecified probe being carried out by Linick but has contended that he did not recall the details.

Asked about Linick’s remarks, Pompeo on Wednesday reiterated his criticism of the inspector general, who was appointed by former president Barack Obama for the non-partisan role.

“Steve Linick was a bad actor in the inspector general office here. He didn’t take on the mission of the State Department to make us better,” Pompeo told reporters.

“My mistake was letting Mr. Linick stay here as long as he did.”

Pompeo in turn alleged that Linick failed to take action over a leak from his office “designed to destroy the career of a professional State Department official.”

Linick told lawmakers that he could not speak on the merits of the allegations against Pompeo, which according to congressional aides included asking a State Department employee to walk his dog.

(AFP)

Disclaimer: Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.