Mueller to make first public statement on Russia investigation

Special counsel to deliver ‘substantial’ comment on Wednesday

Robert Mueller is set to break his years-long silence on Wednesday morning and make his first public statement on the Russia investigation.

The special counsel will deliver remarks at 11am but will take no questions, according to the Department of Justice. A justice department official said Mr Mueller’s statement would be “substantial”.

Mr Mueller wrapped up his almost two-year probe in March without bringing any charges alleging a criminal conspiracy between Donald Trump’s campaign and Russia. His extensive report detailed numerous instances of possible obstruction of justice by the president.

Democrats in Congress have sought Mr Mueller’s public testimony for months but have so far been unable to secure an appearance by the special counsel. Democratic lawmakers have been keen to focus the public’s attention on Mr Mueller’s final report and probe him on how William Barr, the attorney-general, summarised his findings.

The former FBI director said in a private letter to Mr Barr in March that the attorney-general’s initial disclosures about

the findings of his investigation had caused “public confusion” about the conclusions. Mr Barr defended his actions during a Senate hearing, in which he called the letter “a bit snitty”.

The remarks on Wednesday will be the first time that Mr Mueller has spoken publicly about his work as special counsel. The famously taciturn 74-year-old prosecutor gave no interviews or press conferences during his 22-month investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 US presidential election.