Cringeworthy footage shows Liz Truss's chief of staff dashing through a hotel bar to avoid answering questions about being a witness in an FBI probe.
Mark Fullbrook was interviewed by investigators - but not accused of any wrongdoing - in connection with an alleged conspiracy to subvert the democracy of Puerto Rico.
He was spotted at the Tory Party Conference by Sky News, but refused to engage with reporter Joe Pike when asked if he was interviewed by the FBI.
A clip of the strategist walking away while refusing to engage with the journalist has been widely shared online.
It was taken in Birmingham, where thousands of Tory members descended for the four day conference.
Mr Pike, who introduced himself, is heard repeatedly asking "were you interviewed by the FBI?" as the Conservative sped away.
Mr Fullbrook's time in office has already proved controversial after it emerged he was initially being paid for his government work via his lobbying company - an arrangement which has since been changed.
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Sky News)Last month The Mirror reported that Mr Fullbrook, who is married to former Tory MP Lorraine Fullbrook, was interviewed as a witness in the US Department of Justice and FBI investigation this year.
In April, the bureau approached Britain’s National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police to help secure his attendance for a formal interview, although he is not accused of having any knowledge of the plot.
He agreed after he was approached by Scotland Yard with his company subpoenaed and forced to hand over thousands of sensitive emails.
A spokesman for Mr Fullbrook said at the time: “He is committed to and complies with all laws and regulations in any jurisdiction in which he works and is confident he has done so in this matter.
“Indeed, Mark Fullbrook is a witness in this matter and has fully, completely and voluntarily engaged with the US authorities."
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Sky News)Last month the Sunday Times reported that the senior aide to the Prime Minister would receive his wages via Fullbrook Solutions, a lobbying firm he set up in April but which has since suspended commercial activity.
The Cabinet Office insisted it was not "unusual" for a special adviser to join the government on "secondment".
A spokesperson for Mr Fullbrook had also said: "This is not an unusual arrangement. It was not put in place for tax purposes and Mr Fullbrook derives no tax benefit from it."
But last week No 10 said the arrangement had changed "to avoid speculation".
A spokesperson said: "While there are established arrangements for employees to join government on secondment, to avoid speculation Mark Fullbrook will be employed directly by the government on a special adviser contract.
"All government employees, including those joining on secondment, are subject to the necessary checks and vetting, and all special advisers declare their interests in line with Cabinet Office guidance."
The arrangement had already prompted outrage from the opposition, with Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner said it was an "inappropriate appointment at the heart of Downing Street".
She added it raised "serious questions about what sensitive and privileged information this on-loan lobbyist will have access to at the heart of government".
"The Tories under Liz Truss are devoid of ethics. A Labour government will clean up politics with an Independent Ethics and Integrity Commission to restore standards in public life".
