WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Dr. Christine Blasey Ford is willing to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding her allegations of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh under certain conditions, according to an email obtained by the New York Times.
The email purportedly sent by Ford's lawyer Debra Katz to top Republican and Democratic aides on the committee said the psychology professor 'would be prepared to testify next week' as long as Senators offer 'terms that are fair and which ensure her safety.'
The Times said Katz reiterates it is Ford's 'strong preference' that 'a full investigation' occur before her testimony but stops short of demanding a FBI probe.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has scheduled a Monday hearing for both Ford and Kavanaugh to testify, although Katz said testifying that day 'is not possible' and called Republicans' insistence that the hearing occur on that day 'arbitrary.'
The report from the Times comes amid continued uncertainty about whether Ford will testify before the committee, with Republicans suggesting they will go ahead with a vote on Kavanaugh's nomination if she does not appear on Monday.
In the email, Katz reportedly said she would like to set up a call later on Thursday to 'discuss the conditions' under which Ford would be prepared to testify.
Citing a Republican Senate official familiar with the decision, the Times also said Republicans have decided to hire an outside counsel to lead their questioning of Ford rather than the committee members themselves.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX