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President Donald Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn has offered to testify before congressional committees about the Trump campaign's potential ties to Russia but wants "assurance against unfair prosecution," his lawyer said.
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 lawyer Robert Kelner 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.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Mr Flynn had sought immunity from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the House and Senate intelligence committees in exchange for his testimony. The newspaper said he had so far found no takers.
Mr Trump tweeted his support for Mr Flynn attempting to seek immunity, describing the investigation as a "witch hunt".
Mr Kelner confirmed that his client had held discussions with the intelligence committees. His statement did not mention the FBI.
He said Mr Flynn "is now the target of unsubstantiated public demands by Members of Congress and other political critics that he be criminally investigated".
"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 FBI declined to comment. The Senate committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mr Flynn's ties to Russia have been scrutinised by the FBI and are under investigation by the House and Senate intelligence committees.
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.
Reuters/ABC
Topics: donald-trump, defence-and-national-security, world-politics, united-states
First posted