The former chief of Germany’s domestic intelligence service is to join a law firm which represents the far-right AfD party, according to reports in the German press. Hans-Georg Maassen, the controversial civil servant who spent over six years in charge of the BfV, one of three organisations that make up the German intelligence community, was removed from his post after allegations emerged that he had passed sensitive information to the AfD. Mr Maassen reportedly gave the anti-Islam and anti-immigration party sensitive documents on Islamic extremism. In a controversial speech given on his departure but leaked to the press, Mr Maassen, who had come under fire for criticising the German government’s immigration policy, described “radical left-wing elements” in the Social Democratic Party, junior coalition party to Angela Merkel’s Union parties. The former spy chief came under fire over comments he made doubting evidence of far-right violence against foreigners in the eastern city of Chemnitz. German interior minister Horst Seehofer said he could no longer count on “cooperation based on mutual trust” as he relieved the spy chief of his duties in 2018. Amid allegations of a conflict of interest over his new role at Cologne-based law firm HÖCKER, Mr Maassen has reportedly said that he will not be taking on cases involving the AfD. German daily <em>Süddeutsche Zeitung</em><em> </em>quoted Mr Maassen as saying he does not "want to be accused of being the AfD's lawyer". In a statement announcing Mr Maassen’s arrival at HÖCKER, the law firm said he “will not be personally involved” cases for Germany’s Left party, Green party or the AFD. Mr Maassen has also reportedly said he will not be taking on any cases connected to his former intelligence agency. In February 2019, the firm successfully took legal action against the BfV on behalf of the AfD after it made public its investigation into alleged unconstitutional activities by the far-right party. Professor Ralf Höcker, who founded the firm, said “Mr Maassen shares with us the goal of providing legal assistance to victims of illegal reporting”. “The law firm will benefit from his professional experience, expertise and judgement” he added.