Brett Kavanaugh confirmation – LIVE: Mitch McConnell hits out at Democrats saying they are ‘untrustworthy’ and wanted ‘media circus’ around Christine Ford
Follow the latest updates on the FBI investigation into claims of sexual assault against the Supreme Court nominee and the political back and forth in Washington
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Your support makes all the difference.Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court has been delayed as the FBI carry out a "limited" additional background check after Republicans were blind-sided by one of their senators who said his vote for the nominee was dependent on such a probe.
Donald Trump later said it "wouldn't bother me at all" if the scope of the investigation was 'expanded' to include interviews of all three of his nominee's accusers and Mr Kavanaugh himself.
Last week's explosive testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee of Dr Christine Blasey Ford, who alleges a drunken Mr Kavanaugh sexually abused her at a college party in 1982, was hotly contested by Mr Kavanaugh in his counter-testimony.
He appeared angry and had several tense exchanges with committee Democrats, accusing them of doing this as a matter of "revenge" and simply to smear his name.
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In the latest twist in the story, Chad Ludington, a former Yale classmate of Mr Kavanaugh, has accused him of seriously misrepresenting his drinking as a student, calling him a “belligerent and aggressive” drunk.
The FBI's investigation is to last no longer than a week from the day from when the original vote on the nominee was supposed to take place, meaning it will conclude at the end of this week.
It is unclear if the investigation could be expanded should more accusers come forward.
Democrats and Dr Ford are particularly keen on Mark Judge to be interviewed, the man she claimed was present in the room during the alleged assault. Two other women have also accused Mr Kavanaugh - Julie Swetnick and Deborah Ramirez.
"You have to reach across the aisle...and we just haven't done it," Mr Flake said, on agreeing with Democrats to delay the Kavanaugh vote to allow an FBI investigation.
One Yale classmate, who asked to remain anonymous, told The New Yorker magazine: “I thought it was going to be an investigation but instead it seems it’s just an alibi for Republicans to vote for Kavanaugh.”
The classmate also said he was "100 per cent certain" he and others had information to possibly corroborate Ms Ramirez's allegation.
He tried in vain to reach the national FBI tip line as well as the field office closest to his home. After not reaching anyone successfully, the classmate reportedly left a tip in an online portal.
It is unclear if the person has been contacted by the FBI as yet.
While the president said he would "do whatever" the Senate wanted, he still appeared angry at White House counsel Don McGahn, who is in charge of the nomination.
Speaking to the issue of the scope of the FBI's investigation, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Mr McGahn "has allowed the Senate to dictate what these terms look like, and what the scope of the investigation is."
The FBI investigation has been expanded and Senator Susan Collins, one of the female Republicans protesters have been deluging with pleas not to vote yes on Mr Kavanaugh, said the investigation will still be completed within the one week timeline.
Here's a transcript of what Mr Flake was saying just now about having a "dialogue" with the White House about the FBI investigation.
The alleged sexual assault "was a while ago, some witnesses or potential witnesses may not want to cooperate, but for those that can, and those who we can compel to cooperate we've gotta do a fulsome investigation," Mr Flake commented.
A reminder, though the White House has authorised the expanded investigation to include Mr Kavanaugh's other accusers beyond Dr Ford, the bureau only has four days to do so.
The investigation was initiated on 28 September, late in the day. It is unclear if the FBI report will be made public by the deadline and if the Senate will have a vote the same day or if it will be delayed until the following week. We will continue to bring you the latest.
"Until today, the president tried to dodge that responsibility" of expanding the FBI investigation, Senate Ranking Democrat Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor.
"Show us. Show us what White House counsel Don McGahn has instructed the FBI," Mr Schumer said, adding Mr Trump's comments earlier today and interviewing all the accusers were "off the cuff".
Mr Schumer and Democrats want to make sure the president's comments are reflected officially in an instruction to the bureau.
"Now that the president has said that he wants a full investigation. That he wants both Dr Ford and Brett Kavanaugh interviewed...we want to make sure. The Senate and the American people want to know the scope of the investigation," Mr Schumer said.
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