Ivanka Trump takes stand in father’s fraud trial

Ivanka Trump has taken the stand in her father’s $250m (£203m) civil fraud trial.

The elder daughter of Donald Trump began testifying on Wednesday – days after her father, and her brothers Eric and Donald Jr, gave evidence.

The trial is investigating the Trump family business – and the former US president has been accused of inflating his net worth on financial statements that helped him get loans and insurance. He denies any wrongdoing.

So far, Ivanka said she was not involved in her father’s financial statements and is not currently involved with the business.

She repeatedly said she does not recall certain documents that were presented to her, including emails and letters she wrote herself.

Ivanka served in her father’s company as executive vice president of acquisitions and development until 2017 when she left to become a top White House aide.

Unlike her father and brothers, the 42-year-old is no longer a defendant in the lawsuit.

Her lawyers failed to block her testimony having asked for a deposition instead so she wouldn’t have to leave her three children.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office is prosecuting the case, said Ivanka is “inextricably tied to the Trump Organisation”.

Donald Trump was warned to avoid “political” speeches and “just answer the questions” while giving evidence on Monday as the judge threatened to remove him from the courtroom in a series of tense exchanges with his legal team.

The former president reiterated the lawsuit was “unfair”, called Judge Engoron a “fraud” and derided his accuser Ms James during the testimony.