Flynn will testify if he gets immunity
UNITED STATES: Former national security adviser Michael Flynn is in discussions with the House and Senate intelligence committees on receiving immunity from ``unfair prosecution’' in exchange for agreeing to be questioned as part of ongoing probes into possible contacts between Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and Russia.
‘‘General Flynn certainly has a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should the circumstances permit,’' said Flynn’s attorney, Robert Kelner, yesterday.
Kelner said no ‘‘reasonable person’' with legal counsel would answer questions without assurances that he would not be prosecuted, given calls from some members of Congress that the former lieutenant general should face criminal charges.
Flynn’s ties to Russia have been scrutinised by the FBI and are under investigation by the House and Senate intelligence committees. Both committees are looking into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election and any ties between Trump associates and the Kremlin. Since July, the FBI has been conducting a counterintelligence investigation into Russia’s interference in the election and possible co-ordination with Trump associates.
Kelner described the immunity discussions as ongoing and said he would not comment on the details.
A congressional aide confirmed discussions with the Senate intelligence committee involved immunity, but House intelligence committee spokesman Jack Langer said Flynn has not offered to testify to the committee in exchange for immunity.
As of Thursday, the Senate intelligence committee had asked to interview 20 people as part of the probe.
Kelner said the political climate in which Flynn is facing ‘‘claims of treason and vicious innuendo’' is factoring into his negotiations with the committees. ’’No reasonable person, who has the benefit of advice from counsel, would submit to questioning in such a highly politicised, witchhunt environment without assurances against unfair prosecution.’'
Flynn was fired from his job as President Donald Trump’s first national security adviser after it was disclosed he misled the vice president about a conversation he had with the Russian ambassador to the US during the transition. In the weeks after he resigned, Flynn and his business registered with the Justice Department as foreign agents for $530,000 worth of lobbying work that could have benefited the Turkish government. The lobbying occurred while Flynn was a top Trump campaign adviser. The Turkish businessman who hired Flynn has said Flynn’s firm registered under pressure from the Justice Department. – AP