Special counsel in Trump-Russia probe stresses value of honesty and integrity in student graduation address

The man leading the federal investigation into possible collusion between Donald Trump’s campaign and Moscow, has stressed integrity, patience and humility in a student graduation speech.

Robert Mueller, a former FBI Director, said that “nothing else matters” if people were not honest.

“As the saying goes, if you have integrity, nothing else matters, and if you do not have integrity, nothing else matters,” Mr Mueller told graduating students at Tabor Academy in Massachusetts.

In his first public appearance since being named special counsel on May 17, he added: “Whatever we do, we must act with honesty and with integrity, and regardless of you chosen career, you are only as good as your word.”

Mr Mueller, who headed the FBI under George W Bush and Barack Obama, encouraged the graduates to enjoy the journey ahead and all it has to offer.

“As I reflect on my career, I could say that I never could have anticipated where I have ended up,” he said, according to CNN.

The school near Cape Code invited Mr Mueller to speak to the graduating seniors, including his granddaughter, before he was appointed special counsel. He did not address the Russia investigation during his commencement speech and did not meet with reporters afterwards.

“When given the opportunity to address students, I always mention integrity because it is so essential to who and what you ultimately will become,” Mr Mueller said.

Later in his address, Mr Mueller said patience was also an important part of life, and that it is “an acquired skill” that was still working on.