Jeff Sessions testimony: When is it, how can I watch it live, and what will happen?

The US Attorney General is expected to be grilled about his interactions with the Russian ambassador

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions (AP)

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions is set to give his first public testimony before Congress since his confirmation hearing in January, when he told senators that he had not communicated with Russian officials during the presidential campaign.

It subsequently emerged that he had met with Sergei Kislyak, Moscow's ambassador to the US, once around the time of the Republican convention and later when he hosted him in his Senate office.

So the hearing, which will require him to answer questions under oath, could get interesting.

When is it?

The hearing kicks off at 2.30pm in Washington, DC.

How can I watch?

You can watch the session online on the Senate Intelligence committee’s website.

What will happen?

Mr Sessions is likely to face questions related to the ongoing probes into whether Trump campaign advisers colluded with the Russian government to influence the 2016 US election.

Mr Sessions recused himself from that investigation in March after it was revealed that he met twice with Mr Kislyak and did not disclose those encounters to Congress during his confirmation hearing.

Former FBI chief James Comey, who had been heading the bureau's investigation into the matter, reportedly told Congress that Mr Sessions may have met with the Russian ambassador a third time.

The attorney general is also likely to be grilled about the role he played in Donald Trump's decision to fire Mr Comey, despite recusing himself from the Russia probe.

The Justice Department's inquiry into Russian meddling in the election is now being overseen by special counsel Bob Mueller.

Lastly, Mr Sessions could be questioned about Mr Comey's request that the attorney general shield him from having to directly communicate with Mr Trump. According to Mr Comey, Mr Sessions did not verbally respond to his plea.

However, Mr Sessions is not anticipated to discuss any details about his private conversations with Mr Trump.