Washington DC | Former US Special Counsel Robert Mueller on Wednesday defended the integrity of his Russia investigation during a dramatic congressional hearing and reiterated that he had not cleared President Donald Trump of obstruction of justice or, as the president has said, totally exonerated Mr Trump.

Mr Mueller appeared for eagerly anticipated testimony at the first of two back-to-back congressional hearings that carry high stakes for Mr Trump and Democrats who are split between impeaching him or moving on to the 2020 election.

Reuters