Join us for an exclusive UK publication book release and panel event with Emily Maitlis, Jonathan Freedland, Anne McElvoy and Clodagh Harrington.

Why did James Comey speak publicly about the FBI’s investigation of Hilary Clinton’s emails during an election campaign? Why did President Trump fire James Comey and his deputy Andrew McCabe? What does Comey have to say about Trump’s leadership? What has special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation revealed so far about alleged collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign? What does this all mean for the future of US democracy, rule of law and the FBI?

Join Newsnight’s Emily Maitlis, just before she flies to New York to interview James Comey for the BBC, as she discusses these questions with veteran political commentators Jonathan Freedland (The Guardian) and Anne McElvoy (The Economist, Evening Standard, Radio 4). Completing the panel is Clodagh Harrington, Associate Professor of American Politics at De Montfort University, Leicester and chair of the (PSA) American Politics Group, whose research examines the impact of the Trump presidency.

James Comey served as Director of the FBI from 2013 to 2017, appointed to the post by President Barack Obama. He previously served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and the United States Deputy Attorney General in the administration of President George W. Bush. From prosecuting the mafia and Martha Stewart to helping change Bush administration policies on torture and electronic surveillance, overseeing the Hillary Clinton e-mail probe and investigating ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, Comey has been involved in some of the most consequential cases and policies of recent history.

In A HIGHER LOYALTY: TRUTH, LIES AND LEADERSHIP, James Comey will explore what good, ethical leadership looks like and how it drives sound decisions. Using examples from some of the highest-stakes situations in the past two decades of American government, Comey will share yet-unheard anecdotes from his long and distinguished career.

Please note that James Comey will not be present at this event.