The man known as Deep Throat in the Watergate scandal in the US has died.

Mark Felt helped newspaper reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward expose the abuse of powers which brought down President Richard Nixon in the 1970s.

Mr Felt remained anonymous for more than three decades, only revealing his identity in 2005. He died at his home in California at the age of 95.

The former FBI second-in-command revealed himself as Deep Throat 30 years after he tipped off the Washington Post journalists.

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While some – including Mr Nixon and his aides – always speculated that Mr Felt was the source who linked the White House with the June 1972 break-in at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee, he steadfastly denied the accusations until finally coming forward in May 2005.

Critics, including those who went to prison over the Watergate scandal, called him a traitor for betraying the commander in chief. Supporters hailed him as a hero for blowing the whistle on a corrupt administration trying to cover up attempts to sabotage opponents.

This article was posted: Friday, December 19, 2008 at 8:00 pm

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