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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45693211

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
What did the FBI inquiry into Kavanaugh result in? What did the FBI inquiry into Kavanaugh result in?
(about 2 hours later)
On 4 October, the FBI handed over its report on sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. The findings are not for public eyes - but here's what we do know about it.On 4 October, the FBI handed over its report on sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. The findings are not for public eyes - but here's what we do know about it.
Senators are taking turns reading the single copy of the report - which exists only on paper to prevent any leaks - in a secure room in the Capitol.Senators are taking turns reading the single copy of the report - which exists only on paper to prevent any leaks - in a secure room in the Capitol.
The full Senate vote on whether Judge Kavanaugh gets a seat on America's top court was delayed while the FBI worked, and is now expected on Saturday.The full Senate vote on whether Judge Kavanaugh gets a seat on America's top court was delayed while the FBI worked, and is now expected on Saturday.
Who did the FBI interview?Who did the FBI interview?
White House spokesman Raj Shah told CNN the FBI contacted 10 people and "comprehensively interviewed" nine of them.White House spokesman Raj Shah told CNN the FBI contacted 10 people and "comprehensively interviewed" nine of them.
Official sources told US media the review focused on the alleged incidents involving Prof Ford and second accuser Deborah Ramirez.Official sources told US media the review focused on the alleged incidents involving Prof Ford and second accuser Deborah Ramirez.
But federal agents reportedly did not look into the judge's drinking habits or the claims of his third accuser, Julie Swetnick.
Here's who the FBI has interviewed, according to statements from their lawyers:Here's who the FBI has interviewed, according to statements from their lawyers:
Republican Senator Bob Corker said the report is 46 pages long, with nine pages focusing on Mark Judge.Republican Senator Bob Corker said the report is 46 pages long, with nine pages focusing on Mark Judge.
But Democrats have criticised the narrow scope and time limitation of the FBI's inquiry - especially as neither the judge nor Prof Ford spoke with the FBI.But Democrats have criticised the narrow scope and time limitation of the FBI's inquiry - especially as neither the judge nor Prof Ford spoke with the FBI.
Senator Dianne Feinstein said what she saw of the report, it appeared to be "the product of an incomplete investigation".Senator Dianne Feinstein said what she saw of the report, it appeared to be "the product of an incomplete investigation".
A number of Judge Kavanaugh's former classmates have come forward since the hearings, willing to speak with the FBI about his behaviour in college, but so far, it appears they have not been interviewed. And who didn't they speak to?
Federal agents reportedly did not look into the judge's drinking habits or the claims of his third accuser, Julie Swetnick.
A number of Judge Kavanaugh's former classmates have come forward since the hearings, willing to speak with the FBI about his behaviour, but it appears they have not been interviewed.
Here are the people who have submitted statements or otherwise tried to contact the FBI:
In addition, Ms Ramirez's lawyers say they provided a list of 20 individuals with relevant information who have not been contacted by the FBI.
Prof Ford's lawyers also shared a list of people who they said could support her claims.
Judge Kavanaugh and Prof Ford were not interviewed.
Has the FBI has reached a definitive conclusion?Has the FBI has reached a definitive conclusion?
Not exactly.Not exactly.
As many have pointed out, the FBI files a report but does not reach any conclusion regarding the credibility or significance of allegations.As many have pointed out, the FBI files a report but does not reach any conclusion regarding the credibility or significance of allegations.
"They report any corroborating information that they obtain, or any contradicting information," former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker told CNN, but added that "they do not make conclusions" in their reports."They report any corroborating information that they obtain, or any contradicting information," former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker told CNN, but added that "they do not make conclusions" in their reports.
Former FBI Assistant Director Steve Pomerantz told Fox News: "Hopefully they provide enough information within their reports that allow a reasonable person to reach a conclusion based on the work that they've done."Former FBI Assistant Director Steve Pomerantz told Fox News: "Hopefully they provide enough information within their reports that allow a reasonable person to reach a conclusion based on the work that they've done."
Because it is not a criminal inquiry, witnesses were not compelled to co-operate with the investigation, but lying to an FBI agent does carry the threat of federal charges.Because it is not a criminal inquiry, witnesses were not compelled to co-operate with the investigation, but lying to an FBI agent does carry the threat of federal charges.
Hasn't the FBI checked out Kavanaugh already?Hasn't the FBI checked out Kavanaugh already?
Yes. The FBI has completed a traditional background check - provided to any federal appointee - on Judge Kavanaugh, who is currently a District of Columbia appeals court judge.Yes. The FBI has completed a traditional background check - provided to any federal appointee - on Judge Kavanaugh, who is currently a District of Columbia appeals court judge.
In his confirmation hearing, the judicial nominee himself said he had been through "six separate FBI background investigations over 26 years". This was the seventh.In his confirmation hearing, the judicial nominee himself said he had been through "six separate FBI background investigations over 26 years". This was the seventh.
But typical FBI background checks never look back as far as 36 years ago, when Prof Ford says the assault took place.But typical FBI background checks never look back as far as 36 years ago, when Prof Ford says the assault took place.
Why did Trump order this FBI investigation?Why did Trump order this FBI investigation?
Mr Trump gave the order at the request of the Senate Judiciary Committee, after Arizona Republican Jeff Flake made such an inquiry his condition for backing the judge.Mr Trump gave the order at the request of the Senate Judiciary Committee, after Arizona Republican Jeff Flake made such an inquiry his condition for backing the judge.
The president's party has only a razor-thin 51-49 Senate majority. That means that if all Democrats vote against confirming Kavanaugh, he can only afford for one Republican to join them - since in a tie, Vice-President Mike Pence would get the casting vote. The president's party has only a razor-thin 51-49 Senate majority.
That means that if all Democrats vote against confirming Judge Kavanaugh, he can only afford for one Republican to join them - since in a tie, Vice-President Mike Pence would get the casting vote.
One last thing... Why did this take under a week?One last thing... Why did this take under a week?
The timing matters because Republicans are keen to get their Supreme Court nominee - who would serve for life - confirmed before the US mid-term elections on 6 November.The timing matters because Republicans are keen to get their Supreme Court nominee - who would serve for life - confirmed before the US mid-term elections on 6 November.
And Democrats would profit from seeing that process delayed - or blocked altogether.And Democrats would profit from seeing that process delayed - or blocked altogether.
The FBI's 1991 investigation into then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas over sexual harassment allegations was open and shut in three days. He was subsequently confirmed by the Senate.The FBI's 1991 investigation into then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas over sexual harassment allegations was open and shut in three days. He was subsequently confirmed by the Senate.