Andrew McCabe, the fired FBI deputy director, misled investigators multiple times about his role in a news media disclosure about Hillary Clinton just days before the 2016 presidential election, according to a Justice Department watchdog report.

The report alleges that Mr McCabe authorised FBI officials to speak with a Wall Street Journal reporter for a story about an investigation into the Clinton Foundation and then misled FBI and Justice Department officials when later questioned about it.

Mr McCabe denied the report's allegations in a detailed rebuttal statement. Mr McCabe says that when he believed his answers to the inspector general were misunderstood, he went back and tried to correct them.

His lawyer says the inspector general unfairly tried to conclude its work before Mr McCabe could retire with a full pension.

The report gave additional fodder for President Donald Trump's public attacks on Mr McCabe.

On Friday night, the president tweeted: "DOJ just issued the McCabe report - which is a total disaster. He LIED! LIED! LIED! McCabe was totally controlled by Comey - McCabe is Comey!! No collusion, all made up by this den of thieves and lowlifes!"