Trump’s son in-law denies collusion with Russian officials

Jared Kushner, senior advisor and son-in-law to U.S. President Donald Trump, denies any kind of collusion with Russian officials, in written testimony to a congressional committee on Monday.

Kushner, who is married to Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, was delivering closed testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee and would appear before the House Intelligence Committee a day later as part of a widening probe into contacts between Trump’s campaign and Russia.

Kushner will describe four meetings with Russian officials and defend his contacts with Russia’s U.S. ambassador, Sergey Kislyak and other Russian figures as part of his role as Trump’s contact to foreign governments.

Kushner said he had “hardly any” contacts with Russia or Russian representatives during the campaign and presidential transition as he managed contacts between Trump’s campaign and foreign officials.

“I did not collude, nor know of anyone else in the campaign who colluded, with any foreign government,” Kushner says in his written testimony.

“I had no improper contacts. I have not relied on Russian funds to finance my business activities in the private sector.

“I have tried to be fully transparent with regard to the filing of my [government security clearance form], above and beyond what is required. Hopefully, this puts these matters to rest.”

Senate and House of Representative committees, as well as an independent counsel, are investigating whether there was collusion during the election campaign between members of the Trump camp and Moscow to try to influence the outcome of November’s vote.

The U.S. intelligence community concluded that Russia hacked Democratic Party emails in a bid to undermine Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton and benefit then Republican candidate Trump.

The president’s son Donald Trump Jr and former campaign manager, Paul Manafort last week reportedly agreed to provide records to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Also to be interviewed in private by committee staff over their contacts with Russia after Trump Jr admitted to meeting with a Russian lawyer and others in a bid to acquire damaging information about Clinton.