Preet Bharara says cooperating with Russia probe may be 'only sane' move for Michael Flynn

Former US Attorney Preet Bharara has said cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation may be the “only sane and rational move” for ex-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.

Mr Flynn has become part a central part of Mr Mueller’s probe into whether Trump campaign advisers colluded with the Russian government to influence the 2016 election.

That investigation also reportedly involves a probe into whether President Donald Trump obstructed justice when he allegedly asked ex-FBI director James Comey to drop an inquiry into Mr Flynn.

This week it was said that lawyers for Mr Flynn have stopped sharing information with Mr Trump’s lawyers about the investigation - the clearest indication to date that Mr Flynn is cooperating with Mr Mueller, according to the New York Times.

A lawyer for Mr Flynn did not immediately respond to The Independent's request for comment.

Lawyers for both Mr Flynn and Mr Trump declined to comment to the Times.

In a tweet, Mr Bharara - who was dismissed by Mr Trump earlier this year - suggested that helping with the investigation may be Mr Flynn’s only chance to save himself and his son, Michael Flynn Jr, following reports that prosecutors have enough evidence to charge them both.

Mr Flynn’s son also worked on the Trump campaign.

“If you're dead to rights, flipping on others and cooperating with the prosecution is the only sane and rational move,” Mr Bharara said. “Also, prosecutors accept cooperation only if you can provide ‘substantial assistance.’ Higher up in the food chain. Stay tuned…”

Mr Flynn joined the campaign as an adviser in January 2016. He was selected to be Mr Trump's national security adviser during the transition, but resigned in February after it was revealed that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence about his conversations with a Russian official.

At least one former Trump team member has already agreed to cooperate with Mr Mueller. George Papadopoulos, a low-level campaign staffer, recently pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his conversations with a professor with Russia ties.

Court documents revealed in Mr Papadopoulos’ indictment showed the professor had promised the campaign staffer “dirt” on Hillary Clinton in the form of “thousands of emails”.