US Senate approves James Comey as new FBI director

The US Senate has overwhelmingly confirmed James Comey to become the FBI director after a conservative Republican senator ended delaying tactics against the nomination because of concerns about the domestic use of drones.

The US Senate has overwhelmingly confirmed James Comey to become the FBI director after a conservative Republican senator ended delaying tactics against the nomination because of concerns about the domestic use of drones.

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Monday's 93-1 vote put Comey in line to succeed Robert Mueller, who is leaving in September after 12 years heading the agency. Senator Ron Paul was the only no vote.

Comey was the justice department's No. 2 official under former president George W Bush. He gained attention in 2004, when he defied top Bush White House officials who wanted justice to renew a programme that allowed eavesdropping without warrants of domestic phone calls and emails.

Paul had been blocking a vote on Comey. He abruptly ended his delays after saying he had received an FBI letter that answered his questions.