Updated March 31, 2017 12:33:00
President Donald Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn has told the congressional officials investigating the Trump campaign's potential ties to Russia that he is willing to be interviewed in exchange for immunity from prosecution, according to his lawyer.
Key points:
- Flynn's lawyer says "no reasonable person" would speak in such a highly politicised environment without protection
- Flynn's lawyer adds that no further comment will be made at the present time
- Four other Trump associates have thus far come forward to give testimony
- The investigation into Russia's involvement in the 2016 US election is ongoing
"General Flynn certainly has a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should the circumstances permit," a statement from his lawyer said.
Mr Flynn was fired in February for failing to disclose talks with Russia's ambassador, held before Mr Trump took office, about US sanctions on Moscow.
He made the offer of testimony to the FBI and the House and Senate intelligence committees through his lawyer but has so far found no takers, according to the Wall Street Journal, who first broke the story.
Mr Flynn's attorney Robert Kelner later released a statement confirming that his client was talking to the intelligence committees, but added that "no reasonable person" with legal counsel would answer questions without assurances — his statement did not mention the FBI.
"Out of respect for the committees, we will not comment right now on the details of the discussions between counsel for General Flynn and the House and Senate intelligence committees, other than to confirm that those discussions have taken place."
Mr Flynn's ties to Russia have been scrutinised by the FBI and are under investigation by the House and Senate intelligence committees.
"No reasonable person, who has the benefit of advice from counsel, would submit to questioning in such a highly politicised, witch hunt environment without assurances against unfair prosecution," the lawyer's statement added.
The FBI declined to comment. The Senate committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
But independent senator Angus King, a member of the Senate intelligence committee, told local media that he could not confirm the reports, but added:
"If that turns out to be the case, that's a significant development I believe because it indicates that he has something important to say."
Thus far, four other Trump associates have come forward in recent weeks, saying they would talk to the committees.
On Monday, Mr Trump's son-in-law and senior White House adviser Jared Kushner agreed to give testimony to the Senate committee in relation to the Trump campaigns ties to Russia.
As of Wednesday, the Senate intelligence committee had asked to interview 20 people as part of the ongoing investigation.
Wires/ABC
First posted March 31, 2017 11:18:50
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