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Key aide heard in US e-mail row Key aide heard in US e-mail row
(about 4 hours later)
A key witness in a US congressional inquiry over an explicit e-mail scandal has testified before the House of Representatives ethics committee.A key witness in a US congressional inquiry over an explicit e-mail scandal has testified before the House of Representatives ethics committee.
The scandal began after revelations that Republican ex-congressman Mark Foley had sent lurid e-mails to pages - young male staff on work experience.The scandal began after revelations that Republican ex-congressman Mark Foley had sent lurid e-mails to pages - young male staff on work experience.
The latest testimony came from ex-House Clerk Jeff Trandahl, a former pages' boss. He testified behind closed door.The latest testimony came from ex-House Clerk Jeff Trandahl, a former pages' boss. He testified behind closed door.
He was expected to be grilled about how the Republicans dealt with the issue.He was expected to be grilled about how the Republicans dealt with the issue.
The row is dominating politics ahead of mid-term electionsThe row is dominating politics ahead of mid-term elections
At issue in the investigation - now in its second week - is also how House Republican leader Dennis Hastert's office dealt with the knowledge that Mr Foley was sending lurid e-mails.At issue in the investigation - now in its second week - is also how House Republican leader Dennis Hastert's office dealt with the knowledge that Mr Foley was sending lurid e-mails.
Mr Foley resigned over the scandal. He has said he is gay but denies any sexual contact with pages.Mr Foley resigned over the scandal. He has said he is gay but denies any sexual contact with pages.
In a further twist, a Roman Catholic priest admitted having an inappropriate relationship with Mr Foley 40 years ago.In a further twist, a Roman Catholic priest admitted having an inappropriate relationship with Mr Foley 40 years ago.
Recent polls suggest that the majority of Americans are unhappy with how senior Republicans handled the page scandal, the BBC's Nick Miles in Washington says.Recent polls suggest that the majority of Americans are unhappy with how senior Republicans handled the page scandal, the BBC's Nick Miles in Washington says.
That could have an impact on the Congressional mid-term elections in November, our correspondent says.That could have an impact on the Congressional mid-term elections in November, our correspondent says.
Aide denialsAide denials
Mr Foley resigned on 29 September after revelations that he had sent sexual messages to House high school students appointed to help with administrative work.Mr Foley resigned on 29 September after revelations that he had sent sexual messages to House high school students appointed to help with administrative work.
House leader Dennis Hastert has received backing from the presidentHouse leader Dennis Hastert has received backing from the president
The youngest recipient of the suggestive e-mails is said to have been 16 years old.The youngest recipient of the suggestive e-mails is said to have been 16 years old.
Mr Hastert says he first became aware of Mr Foley's actions just before his resignation.Mr Hastert says he first became aware of Mr Foley's actions just before his resignation.
But a former advisor to Mr Foley says he reported concerns about his contacts with pages to Mr Hastert's chief-of-staff several years ago. But a former adviser to Mr Foley says he reported concerns about his contacts with pages to Mr Hastert's chief-of-staff several years ago.
The chief-of-staff, Scott Palmer, has denied the claims.The chief-of-staff, Scott Palmer, has denied the claims.
Mr Hastert, who earlier this month rejected calls for his resignation over his handling of the case, has said he will sack any member of his staff who may have covered up the e-mail scandal.Mr Hastert, who earlier this month rejected calls for his resignation over his handling of the case, has said he will sack any member of his staff who may have covered up the e-mail scandal.
The ethics committee, on which there are five Democrats and five Republicans, will examine who became aware of the allegations and when, although it has no jurisdiction over Mr Foley.The ethics committee, on which there are five Democrats and five Republicans, will examine who became aware of the allegations and when, although it has no jurisdiction over Mr Foley.
Committee chairman Doc Hastings said he hoped to finish the inquiry "in weeks", but it is unclear whether it will be complete before the 7 November mid-term polls.Committee chairman Doc Hastings said he hoped to finish the inquiry "in weeks", but it is unclear whether it will be complete before the 7 November mid-term polls.