Donald Trump called gaining immunity from prosecution "so corrupt" and and an "embarrassment"—six months before urging his former national security adviser to seek the same protection.

Mr Trump was speaking to supporters at a rally in Melbourne, Florida, last year when he said of Democratic staff being given immunity in the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails: "Have you ever seen anything so corrupt in your life? Have you ever seen a greater embarrassment to our country?

"If you're not guilty of a crime, what do you need immunity for?”

The September 2016 footage appears to contradict his advice to Michael Flynn, handed down on Twitter on Friday, that he "should ask for immunity" during the "witch-hunt" investigation into links between Russia and his Presidential campaign.

Mr Flynn, who resigned after less than a month in post over undisclosed contact with a Russian diplomat, reportedly offered to testify in exchange for being protected from prosecution.

His lawyer said "unfounded allegations" against Mr Flynn amounted to a "witch-hunt environment" and that seeking immunity was a reasonable reaction.