Trump's Attorney general nominee says Mueller probe not a witch hunt

President Donald Trump's attorney general nominee has said the US inquiry into Russia's alleged 2016 election meddling is not a witch hunt.

William Barr told his confirmation hearing that special counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry must conclude."I think the Russians interfered or attempted to interfere in the election and we have to get to the bottom of it," he said.

President Trump regularly refers to the Mueller inquiry as a witch hunt.

In Tuesday's hearing, senators also asked why Barr last year called the probe "fatally misconceived" in a legal memo.

Democrats on the Senate judiciary committee suggested that 20-page memo was a "job interview" to impress Mr Trump.

But the nominee, who was also attorney general under President George HW Bush, called that suggestion "ludicrous".

"On my watch, Bob [Mueller] will be allowed to complete his work," Mr Barr said of the inquiry, which has dogged the Republican president's two years in office.

The nominee also told senators he and Mueller had been "good friends" during their previous time working together for the US Department of Justice.