Former Trump aide ‘may have broken law’

US: Ex-army officer accepted thousands of dollars after Russia trip

US president Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, appeared to break US law when he failed to seek permission or inform the government about accepting tens of thousands of dollars from Russian organisations after a trip there in 2015, congressional committee leaders have said.

The two senior representatives heading a House committee examining possible Russian links with Mr Trump’s campaign also raised new questions about Mr Flynn’s consulting firm accepting $530,000 (£414,000) from a company tied to Turkey’s government.

Representatives Jason Chaffetz and Elijah Cummings said Mr Flynn could face prosecution because, as a former Army officer, he was barred from accepting the foreign payments. Mr Flynn, who headed the military’s top intelligence agency, is a retired lieutenant general and was Mr Trump’s national security adviser until he was sacked.

“That money needs to be recovered,” said Mr Chaffetz, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

“You simply cannot take money from Russia, Turkey or anybody else.”

Mr Cummings also criticised the White House for refusing to turn over documents the committee requested about Mr Flynn’s foreign contacts during his three-week stint as national security adviser.

Mr Flynn campaigned for Mr Trump before the presidential election and was chosen as national security adviser in January.

He was sacked in February on the grounds he failed to notify senior administration officials about his contacts with Russian officials before his appointment.

Michael Flynn