A DOSSIER of lurid allegations about US President Donald Trump produced by a former British spy “probably” has “some credibility”, the ex-head of MI6 said today.

Sir Richard Dearlove refused to confirm or deny he knew former MI6 officer Christopher Steele - unmasked as the shadowy figure behind a folder of damaging information on the US leader.

4 The ex-head of MI6 claimed there is 'probably' 'some credibility' in dossier of US President Donald Trump Credit: Getty - Pool

Steele claimed Russia was in possession of compromising information - known in Moscow as “Kompromat” - on Trump which could be used to blackmail or pressurise him.

It included unproven claims that Trump had cavorted with Russian hookers in a hotel room, years before he rose to the presidency.

Sir Richard, who ran the UK's foreign intelligence service between 1999 and 2004, told the BBC's Newsnight programme: “I think that there is probably some credibility to the content.

“I wouldn't put it any more forcefully than that.”

4 Sir Richard Dearlove ran the UK's foreign intelligence service between 1999 and 2004 Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Steele's dossier claimed Trump hired prostitutes during a visit to Moscow to urinate on a hotel bed which he believed to have previously been slept in by Barack and Michelle Obama.

The file also detailed allegations that the Trump team had multiple contacts with Russian officials during the presidential election campaign.

It added that he had been cultivated by Moscow over a number of years as a possible presidential candidate, with the aim of encouraging splits within the West.

Trump branded the dossier “fake” when news of it first emerged in January.

4 Christopher Steele claimed Russia was in possession of compromising information on President Trump Credit: PA:Press Association

His former national security adviser Michael Flynn has since pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about reaching out to the Russians on the president's behalf.

His conviction is part of an FBI probe into Russian collusion – something the president has repeatedly denied.

Sir Richard, who backed Leave in Britain's referendum on European Union membership, said there was no evidence of Russian intervention in the Brexit vote, but that it interfered in the US election.

4 The file also detailed allegations that Trump's team had contact with Russian officials during the presidential election campaign Credit: EPA

He said: “I've not seen anything that convinces me at all that the Russians intervened significantly in the Brexit referendum…I don't think there's any question that they got involved in the US election.”

He added: “I think probably on Putin's part, you know, that was a misjudgement.”

In a wide-ranging interview, Sir Richard also said terrorism does not pose a “systemic threat” to the nation and there has been an overreaction to attacks in Britain.

Media gather at firm of ex-MI-6 agent, who authored Trump Russia dossier

He said the chances of getting caught up in a terror attack are “relatively low”.

“The problem is that when attacks happen they're shocking - catastrophic - and of course you get a massive media reaction to them”, he told presenter Evan Davis.

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He added: "We need to keep a sense of proportion about what we're dealing with.

“I mean I don't think terrorism in its current form, you know, presents a systemic threat to the nation.

"It presents the possibility of horrible happenings which we are learning how to deal with.”