Security chief Flynn was exposed to Russian blackmail, inquiry told

MICHAEL FLYNN was exposed to potential blackmail by Russia, the former deputy attorney general testified yesterday, as it emerged Barack Obama warned Donald Trump against hiring him.

Sally Yates told the Senate judiciary committee that Mr Flynn, President Trump’s former national security adviser, “essentially could be blackmailed by the Russians” by having a conversation with the Russian ambassador, and then lying to Mike Pence, the vice-president, about it.

“We were really concerned about the compromise here,” said Ms Yates. “Logic would tell you that you don’t want the national security adviser to be in a position where the Russians have leverage over him.” Ms Yates said Mr Trump fired Mr Flynn in February after it became clear that he had misled Mr Pence about his conversations with Sergey Kislyak.

James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, was asked whether it was correct that British intelligence sources had passed on details about Mr Flynn’s activities to the Americans. “Yes, it is, and it’s also quite sensitive,” said Mr Clapper. “The specifics are quite sensitive.”

Mr Obama reportedly warned against the hiring of Mr Flynn during his initial meeting with Mr Trump after the November election.

Mr Flynn has emerged as a central figure in inquiries into allegations of Russian meddling in the US election and possible collusion between Mr Trump’s campaign and Moscow.

Yesterday, Mr Trump defended Mr Flynn, noting that he was granted top security clearance while working in the Obama administration.

Mr Flynn was pushed out by Mr Obama from his job as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, or DIA, in 2014, for what officials familiar with the situation said was a disruptive management style and temperament issues. Sean Spicer, the White House spokesman, confirmed that the warning took place, saying Mr Obama “was no fan” of Mr Flynn. “If Mr Obama was so concerned, why did he renew his security clearance?” he added.

Mr Trump also insinuated Ms Yates leaked information to the media, hours before her testimony was due to start.

“Ask Sally Yates, under oath, if she knows how classified information got into the newspapers soon after she explained it to Wh.council,” Mr Trump wrote on Twitter, later correcting the spelling of counsel.

Ms Yates denied leaking any information during the hearing yesterday.

Ms Yates was interim attorney general for 10 days before she was fired by Mr Trump for refusing to implement his administration’s travel ban.

Mr Clapper also told the hearing that Russia’s meddling in the US election was a “high-water mark” in its decadeslong efforts to interfere in political contests around the world.