Donald Trump, the US President, said on Monday he was worried that any statements under oath he provides to Special Counsel Robert Mueller could be used to bring perjury charges against him as part of the probe into Russia's electoral interference.

In an interview with Reuters, Mr Trump echoed the concerns of his top lawyer in the probe, Rudy Giuliani, who has warned that any sit-down with Mueller could be a “perjury trap.”

The president expressed fears that investigators could compare his statements with that of others who have testified in the probe, such as former FBI Director James Comey, and that any discrepancies could be used against him.

"So if I say something and he (Comey) says something, and it's my word against his, and he's best friends with Mueller, so Mueller might say: 'Well, I believe Comey,' and even if I'm telling the truth, that makes me a liar. That's no good."

Despite his concerns, Mr Trump did not comment on whether he would ultimately agree to an interview with Mr Mueller, who is, among other things, investigating whether Mr Trump's campaign team colluded with Russians during the 2016 election and whether Mr Trump has obstructed justice in the probe.