Former FBI Director James Comey to testify on June 8 in Trump-Russia collusion probe

Former FBI Director James Comey will testify in open session before the Senate intelligence committee on June 8 about the investigation of possible collusion between Trump campaign and Russian officials.

Chairman Richard Burr and Vice Chair Mark Warner said in a joint statement that Comey would testify in a public hearing on June 8 about Russia's attempts to influence the outcome of the 2016 Presidential elections . It will be followed by a closed-door session shortly thereafter.

Comey is also expected to address his private conversations with Trump, where the latter reportedly asked him to drop his investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn, CNN reported.

President Donald Trump abruptly fired Comey from his post early last month, citing reasons that the White House has given various reasons for Comey's firing, including that he did not have the backing of the bureau's rank and file.

But acting director, Andrew McCabe, who said he and a vast majority of the FBI strongly respects Comey.

Comey has spoken privately with special counsel Robert Mueller to work out the parameters for his testimony to ensure there are no legal entanglements as a result of his public account.

Following his dismissal, reports mounted that Trump asked Comey if he was under investigation in a separate FBI probe, and sought to have Comey end an investigation into former top administration official Michael Flynn.

Trump allegedly demanded Comey's "loyalty" pledge and urged Comey to drop his ongoing investigation into Michael Flynn.