President Donald Trump has fired James Comey, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in a dramatic move that comes as the law enforcement agency investigates contacts between the Trump presidential campaign and Russian officials.

The White House said Mr Trump “terminated” Mr Comey with immediate effect following advice from Jeff Sessions, the attorney-general, and his deputy Rod Rosenstein. A White House aide personally delivered a letter informing Mr Comey of his dismissal on Tuesday afternoon.

In the letter to Mr Comey, Mr Trump wrote: “While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with [their] judgment?.?.?.?that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau.”