John Dean, the former White House counsel to President Richard Nixon, on Friday appeared before a Senate committee for the first time in more than 30 years and accused President George W. Bush of an aggressive assertion of presidential power.

Mr Dean last appeared before a Senate committee when he accused Mr Nixon of a cover-up during Watergate, helping to lead to his impeachment. The judiciary committee hearings on Friday were held to examine a resolution from Senator Russell Feingold, a Democrat, to censure Mr Bush for authorising warrantless wiretapping.