This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43079550
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Bannon 'stonewalled' congressmen during committee hearing | Bannon 'stonewalled' congressmen during committee hearing |
(35 minutes later) | |
President Trump's former chief adviser, Steve Bannon, has refused to answer a range of questions posed by a congressional committee. | President Trump's former chief adviser, Steve Bannon, has refused to answer a range of questions posed by a congressional committee. |
He was being interviewed by the House intelligence committee, which is investigating alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. | He was being interviewed by the House intelligence committee, which is investigating alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. |
Mr Bannon would answer only 25 questions approved in advance by the White House, members said. | Mr Bannon would answer only 25 questions approved in advance by the White House, members said. |
The committee is reportedly considering holding him in contempt. | The committee is reportedly considering holding him in contempt. |
"Steve Bannon stonewalled the intel committee today," Democratic member Joaquin Castro said in a tweet. | "Steve Bannon stonewalled the intel committee today," Democratic member Joaquin Castro said in a tweet. |
"Sure seems like he's covering up something(s). He should be held in contempt." | "Sure seems like he's covering up something(s). He should be held in contempt." |
Adam Schiff, the panel's Democratic leader, called for contempt proceedings against Mr Bannon, according to Reuters news agency. | Adam Schiff, the panel's Democratic leader, called for contempt proceedings against Mr Bannon, according to Reuters news agency. |
Republican Representative Mike Conaway said members of the panel were unhappy with Mr Bannon's responses. | Republican Representative Mike Conaway said members of the panel were unhappy with Mr Bannon's responses. |
"He did not answer all the questions we'd like answered, so there was frustration among committee members with respect to that," said Mr Conaway. | "He did not answer all the questions we'd like answered, so there was frustration among committee members with respect to that," said Mr Conaway. |
The hearing was a closed-door session, so full details have not yet emerged - instead being revealed by senior journalists with sources on the committee. | The hearing was a closed-door session, so full details have not yet emerged - instead being revealed by senior journalists with sources on the committee. |
CNN senior congressional correspondent Manu Raju tweeted that Mr Bannon had been advised by President Trump to invoke executive privilege, a prerogative allowing him to withhold information. | CNN senior congressional correspondent Manu Raju tweeted that Mr Bannon had been advised by President Trump to invoke executive privilege, a prerogative allowing him to withhold information. |
Mr Bannon - who was forced out of the White House in August - appeared following a subpoena from the House Intelligence Committee. | Mr Bannon - who was forced out of the White House in August - appeared following a subpoena from the House Intelligence Committee. |
He voluntarily met with the same committee in January but refused to answer any questions over a 10-hour period. | |
The committee then issued a subpoena compelling him to return for a second time. | |
According to the New York Times, he has also been subpoenaed by former FBI director Robert Mueller, the Justice Department special counsel who is leading a parallel inquiry into alleged collusion with Russia during the 2016 election campaign. | According to the New York Times, he has also been subpoenaed by former FBI director Robert Mueller, the Justice Department special counsel who is leading a parallel inquiry into alleged collusion with Russia during the 2016 election campaign. |
Mr Bannon is reportedly the first of Mr Trump's inner circle to be summoned to testify before a grand jury. | Mr Bannon is reportedly the first of Mr Trump's inner circle to be summoned to testify before a grand jury. |