Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner 'now a focus in Russia investigation'

Jared Kushner: Getty Images
Jared Kushner: Getty Images

Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is now reportedly a focus of the ongoing investigation into Russian collusion in the US election campaign.

Authorities are investigating a series of meetings held by the White House adviser with Russian officials, sources told The Washington Post.

Media speculation was rife Mr Kushner was a “person of interest” in the investigation after the paper claimed a senior adviser to the US President was among people investigators wanted to speak to.

The 36-year-old, who is married to Mr Trump’s eldest daughter, is believed to be the only White House official considered a person of key interest in the probe.

Mr Kushner is being investigated for meetings he held in December with the Russian ambassador and a banker from Moscow.

The latest revelations come after former FBI Director, Robert Mueller, was appointed special counsel to lead the investigation into the alleged collusion.

The Post said the investigation appeared to be entering a more active phase, with investigators moving from work that has been largely hidden from the public to conducting interviews and using a grand jury to issue subpoenas. The newspaper said the intensity of the investigation was now anticipated to speed up even more.

The interest in Mr Kushner does not mean investigators suspect him of a crime or intend to charge him, US officials told NBC News.

It is not known whether Mr Kushner has received any requests from the FBI for records, NBC said.

One of Mr Kushner's attorneys, Jamie Gorelick, said in a statement her client would cooperate with the investigation.

Mr Kushner previously volunteered to share with Congress what he knows about these meetings. He will do the same if he is contacted in connection with any other inquiry, Ms Gorelick said.

Additional reporting by agencies