The Telegraph has talked to more than a dozen UK and US officials, including in American
intelligence, who have revealed details about the row.
British spy chiefs have “genuine concern” about sources being exposed if classified parts
of the wiretap request were made public, according to figures familiar with discussions.
“It boils down to the exposure of people”, said one US intelligence official, adding: “We don’t
want to reveal sources and methods.” US intelligence shares the concerns of the UK.
Another said Britain feared setting a dangerous “precedent” which could make people less
likely to share information, knowing that it could one day become public. -The Telegraph
The Telegraph adds that the UK's dispute with the Trump administration is so politically
sensitive that staff within the British Embassy in D.C. have been barred from discussing it
with journalists. Theresa May has also "been kept at arms-length and is understood to have
not raised the issue directly with the US president."
In September, we reported that the British government "expressed grave concerns" over
the material in question after President Trump issued an order to the DOJ to release a wide
swath of materials, "immediately" and "without redaction."
Trump walked that order back days later after the UK begged him not to release them.
Mr Trump wants to declassify 21 pages from one of the applications. He announced the
move in September, then backtracked, then this month said he was "very seriously"
considering it again. Both Britain and Australia are understood to be opposing the move.
Memos detailing alleged ties between Mr Trump and Russia compiled by Christopher
Steele, a former MI6 officer, were cited in the application, which could explain some of the
British concern. -The Telegraph