However, Edmonds said: “He was aiding foreign operatives against US interests by passing them highly classified information, not only from the State Department, but also from the Pentagon, in exchange for money, positions and political objectives.”

In one conversation Edmonds heard the official arranging to pick up a $ 15,000 cash bribe. The package was to be dropped off at an agreed location by someone in the Turkish diplomatic community, who was working for the network.

The Turks, she said, often acted as a conduit for the ISI, Pakistan’s spy agency, because they were less likely to attract suspicion. Venues such as the American Turkish Council in Washington were used to drop off the cash, which was picked up by the official.

Edmonds said: “I heard at least three transactions like this over a period of 2 and half years. There are almost certainly more.”