Donald Trump’s company was secretly held in contempt for hindering probe

Former US President Donald Trump (Rebecca Blackwell/AP/PA)

Donald Trump’s company impeded a grand jury investigation last year by repeatedly failing to turn over evidence in a timely fashion, leading to a secret contempt finding and a 4,000 dollar (£3,200) fine, according to court records.

The Trump Organisation was found to have been “willfully disobeying” four grand jury subpoenas and three court orders, to the detriment of Manhattan prosecutors who were left ill-prepared to question witnesses, Judge Juan Manuel Merchan ruled.