Donald Trump’s son-in-law urged him to fire FBI director James Comey because of fears his family’s finances were being investigated, a controversial new book has claimed.

Jared Kushner, the senior adviser to the president and who is married to Mr Trump’s daughter Ivanka, provided a written list of reasons why Mr Comey should be sacked, according to the new account.

Mr Kushner and his wife were said to have become “increasingly panicked” that the FBI was looking into his family’s wealth, the book by journalist Michael Wolff claims.

The book alleges the pair repeatedly pushed for the sacking, claiming Mr Trump made the decision with “almost no consultation except that of his inner family circle”.

The allegation is controversial because Mr Trump’s decision to sack Mr Comey has triggered claims of obstruction of justice – one of the grounds for impeachment.

A figure close to Mr Kushner is quoted in the book as denying he encouraged the sacking, but also noting he did not oppose the move.

The allegation is contained in a copy of Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House which has been seen by The Telegraph.

Other claims made in the book and seen by The Telegraph include:

Mr Trump once wanted to make Michael Flynn, the former national security adviser who resigned over Russian meetings, his vice president

The president considered making Anna Wintour, the Vogue magazine editor, his UK ambassador and wondered if Mr Kushner could one day become secretary of state

Steve Bannon, the former White House chief strategist, boasted about being Mr Trump’s “brain”, to the irritation of the president

Mr Trump was known to launch into “uncontrollable, vein popping, ugly-face” tantrums when angry at his aides

The president’s sons Donald Jr and Eric were dubbed "Uday and Qusay” in the White House, a reference to the sons of Saddam Hussein.

Mr Trump listed Mr Bannon’s scruffy appearance, which he joked made him looked “homeless”, among the reasons he should be fired

The book, which is based on more than 200 interviews, has infuriated Mr Trump and led to fierce denials from the White House.