Special prosecuter asks White House for documents on Flynn

WASHINGTON: Investigators probing US President Donald Trump’s team for possible connections to Russia have asked the White House to hand over records for what is believed to be the first time, the New York Times said on Friday.

Members of the investigation led by Robert Mueller requested the White House submit documents linked to Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn, according to the paper.

The document request, while not a formal subpoena, was the latest signal that the probe is gathering pace.

The news came one day after reports revealed that Mueller — a former FBI director — has impaneled a grand jury to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Flynn — who was ousted mere weeks after being named Trump’s national security adviser over mischaracterising contacts with Russian officials — is at the centre of the controversy.

Trump has repeatedly denied allegations of collusion, saying he is the victim of a political “witch hunt” and “fake news.”

Investigators had also questioned witnesses over whether Flynn received secret payments from the Turkish government at the end of the 2016 presidential campaign -- suggesting the probe’s scope has widened to examine Flynn’s financial dealings.