Donald Trump defends decision to fire ‘liar’ Michael Flynn and insists there was ‘no collusion’ with Russia
Michael Flynn, the president's former national security adviser, has admitted he lied to the FBI and has agreed to cooperate with investigation into Trump links with Moscow
DONALD Trump has upheld his decision to fire Michael Flynn because he "lied to the Vice President and the FBI".
Hours after he insisted there was "absolutely no collusion" with Russia, the president - writing on Twitter - appeared to mourn Flynn's departure because his actions during the presidential transition "were lawful".
Michael Flynn, an early supporter of the president and former national security adviser, admitted he lied to the FBI about his contact with Russian officials.
The former army officer has now also agreed to work with the Mueller investigation which is examining links between the Trump campaign and Moscow.
Trump, who was on his way to fund-raising events, said: "What has been shown is no collusion, no collusion There's been absolutely no collusion, so were very happy."
Flynn was the first member of Trump's administration to plead guilty to a crime uncovered by special counsel Robert Mueller's wide-ranging investigation.
The former director of the FBI is trying to find out how Russian attempts to influence the 2016 presidential election succeeded.
The retired lieutenant general admitted in a Washington court that he lied to FBI investigators about his discussions last December with Russia's then-ambassador to the United States, Sergei Kislyak.
According to prosecutors, the pair discussed American sanctions on Russia and Flynn asked Kislyak to help delay a United Nations vote seen as damaging to Israel.
Flynn also was told by a "very senior member" of Trump's transition team to contact Russia and other foreign governments to try to influence them ahead of the vote.
It has been reported that the official was Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, but Kushner's lawyer is yet to respond to the allegation.
Flynn only held his position as Trump's national security adviser for 24 days.
He was forced to resign after he was found to have misled vice president Mike Pence about his discussions with Kislyak.
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