Former MI-6 spy known to U.S. agencies is author of reports on Trump in Russia

The building housing the offices of Orbis Buiness Intelligence (C) where former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele works, is seen in central London, Britain, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Christopher Steele, who wrote reports on compromising material Russian operatives allegedly had collected on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, is a former officer in Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, according to people familiar with his career.

    Former British intelligence officials said Steele spent years under diplomatic cover working for the agency, also known as MI6, in Russia and Paris and at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.