Donald Trump denied telling former FBI director James Comey that he “hoped” he would “let go” of the investigation of Michael Flynn and his links to Russia.

Yet the President’s eldest son appeared to back up Mr Comey’s version of their conversation.

During an interview with Fox News, Donald Trump Jr expressed disbelief that Mr Comey felt “threatened” by his conversation with the President before he was fired.

“When he tells you to do something, guess what? There's no ambiguity in it, there's no, 'Hey, I'm hoping,'“ 39-year-0ld Mr Trump said.

“You and I are friends: 'Hey, I hope this happens, but you've got to do your job.' That's what he told Comey.

“And for this guy [Comey] as a politician to then go back and write a memo: 'Oh, I felt threatened.' He felt so threatened — but he [President Trump] didn't do anything.”

The alleged conversation between Mr Comey and the President earlier this year, apparently backed up by the President’s son, led Mr Comey to write a series of memos about their relationship and which were leaked to the press.

Mr Trump tweeted that the leaks were “cowardly”.

His lawyer said the President “never, in form or substance, directed or suggested that Mr Comey stop investigating anyone”.

The President’s son said the family was “vindicated” after the Comey testimony as what he said was “basically ridiculous” and that Mr Comey had never been asked to drop the Russia investigation.