Trump-Russia investigation 'now includes Paul Manafort and may expand to Jeff Sessions'

The special counsel running the US investigation into possible ties between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia's government has assumed oversight of an ongoing investigation involving former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

The investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller may also expand to look into the roles of the Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in the firing of FBI Director James Comey, according to the Associated Press.

The Justice Department's criminal investigation into Mr Manafort, who was forced to resign in August amid questions over his past business dealings in Ukraine, predated the election and the FBI probe investigating possible collusion between Moscow and associates of Donald Trump.

The move to consolidate the matters indicates that Mueller is assuming a broad mandate in his new role.

More follows...