'A walking conflict of interest': ex-oil lobbyist confirmed to lead US interior department

Senate voted 56-41 to approve David Bernhardt's nomination as critics say he is a 'walking conflict of interest'

The Senate has voted to confirm David Bernhardt, a former a former oil and gas and water lobbyist, as secretary of the embattled interior department.

Senators voted 56-41 to approve Bernhardt's nomination to oversee more than 500m acres of public lands and other resources, including national parks, monuments and wildlife refuges.