US Must Review Sessions’ Clearance for Hiding Russia Contacts - Statement

Ranking US House Judiciary Committee member John Conyers in a statement on Thursday called for a government review of Attorney General Jeff Sessions' security clearance after it emerged that he failed to disclose his meetings with Russia's ambassador to the United States.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — "It is imperative that the House Judiciary Committee investigate this matter. At a minimum, the government should immediately review whether the Attorney General remains qualified to hold a security clearance," Conyers said.

The Justice Department earlier on Thursday released a redacted copy of Sessions' application for a security clearance in response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by watchdog group American Oversight.

The form, which was processed on November 3, 2016, asked whether Sessions "had any contact with a foreign government, its establishment (such as embassy, consulate, agency, military service, intelligence or security service, etc.) or its representatives, whether inside or outside the US."

Sessions responded "No" to the question.

The attorney general later admitted that he twice spoke to Russia's former Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the campaign, though he insisted that his encounters were not private meetings and had nothing to do with the election.

Sessions also flatly rejected allegations that the Trump campaign colluded with Russian officials to affect the outcome of the vote, calling the accusation a detestable lie.

Russian officials have also dismissed claims that the Kremlin meddled in the vote, insisting that Moscow does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.