Jeff Sessions, the US Attorney General, has agreed to appear before the Senate intelligence committee investigating alleged Russian interference in last year's presidential election.

Mr Sessions had been due to discuss the Justice Department's budget at the House and Senate's appropriations subcommittees.

But given that that members had signalled their intention to ask him about his links with the Russia, he decided that appearing before the intelligence committee would be preferable.

Mr Sessions, who met Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador, twice during the election campaign, has already recused himself from the federal investigation into alleged Russian links with the Republicans.

Last week James Comey, who was fired as FBI director by Donald Trump, accused the president of lying and trying to thwart his investigation.

Mr Sessions, who will appear before the committee on Tuesday, announced his decision in a letter to members of the appropriations sub committees.

"In light of reports regarding Mr. Comey's recent testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, it is important that I have an opportunity to address these matters in the appropriate forum," he wrote.