Flynn takes the Fifth

UNITED STATES: Michael Flynn, the former National Security Adviser to President Donald Trump, has invoked the Fifth Amendment to avoid handing over personal documents to a Senate committee investigating Russian meddling in last year’s election.

The Fifth Amendment gives a person the constitutional right to not answer questions or hand over documents to avoid selfincrimination. Flynn became the first associate of the president to ‘‘take the Fifth’’ during the ongoing enquiry into whether there was any collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

The Senate Intelligence Committee had initially requested on April 28 that Flynn hand over all his personal records relating to communications with Russian officials.

He refused to do so and on May 10 the committee issued a subpoena, the first to a Trump or former Trump official, demanding the documents be submitted by tomorrow.

A source close to Flynn told ABC News: ‘‘He will not be producing the documents they sought. He is entitled to decline, pursuant to the Fifth Amendment.’’

Sources close to Flynn also said it would be ‘‘highly imprudent for him not to exercise his Fifth Amendment rights’’ because several Democrat members of Congress had called for his prosecution.

Flynn was reported to be sending a letter to the committee outlining his decision.

- Telegraph Group