Sean Spicer hid behind bushes near the White House as reporters clamoured to question him over James Comey's sacking, it has been reported.

The White House press secretary was much in demand on Tuesday night and, after giving a TV interview on an outside set, retreated to the safety of a nearby hedge, according to the Washington Post .

After several minutes conferring with aides Mr Spicer emerged ready to provide answers, as long as they were not filmed, the Post said.

Donald Trump's sacking of Mr Comey, the now ex-FBI director, on the advice of his Justice Department had Washington in uproar.

Mr Comey was leading the investigation of alleged Russian hacking of the US election, and of claimed ties between Trump associates and the Kremlin.

But Mr Trump, who has denied any such links, said it was Mr Comey's handling of the probe into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server — which the Democrat blamed for helping her lose the election — that meant a new face was needed to restore public trust.