'Detestable lie': Attorney General Sessions rejects charges of collusion with Russia

June 13, 2017 at 18:50

Sessions said he met with career department officials, including senior ethics officials, about his recusal.

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee to testify about the firing of FBI Director James Comey and allegations of contacts between Russian officials and Trump campaign associates, including himself.

Committee chairman Senator Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) framed the hearing as giving Sessions an opportunity to “separate fact from fiction.”

Sessions said it was critically important to investigate allegations of Russian interference during the election because such interference “can never be tolerated,” and encouraged the committee to get to the bottom of the matter.

He said he had no meeting with the Russians at the Mayflower Hotel, but did attend a reception with at least two dozen people - including President Trump - and had conversations during the pre-speech reception, but doesn’t remember talking to any Russians.

“Any suggestions I was aware of any collusion, or to undermine integrity of the democratic process, is an appalling and detestable lie,” said Sessions.

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