Donald Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon has been removed from the National Security Council.

Mr Bannon's appointment to the NSC in January caused uproar among critics of the President, who said it was inappropriate for the political adviser to play a role in national security matters.

The 63-year-old, formerly the head of right-wing website Breitbart News, has been replaced in the NSC by director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats and Joint Chiefs chairman Joseph Dunford.

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A White House official told US media that Mr Bannon was originally placed on the NSC to check on former national security advisor Michael Flynn and had only ever attended one of the NSC's regular meetings.

Mr Flynn resigned from the Trump administration in February, after admitting he briefed Vice President Mike Pence with "incomplete information" over contact he had with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak.


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Sky News US Correspondent Cordelia Lynch said sources have suggested NSC head General HR McMaster spearheaded the removal of Mr Bannon in order to "pursue a more conventional structure" in meetings.

She said: "Some will be relieved to see Steve Bannon stepping aside but I think it is wrong to suggest he will be losing some of his power in the White House.

"He is often seen by the side of Donald Trump and Jared Kushner and he remains chief strategist.

Image: Mr Trump's presidential campaign was headed by Mr Bannon

"This was a move within the NSC to steady the ship."

Mr Bannon left Breitbart News in August 2016 to become the CEO of Mr Trump's presidential campaign.

His appointment as Trump administration chief strategist in November dismayed opponents, with America's Anti-Defamation League accusing Mr Bannon of supporting a movement of "white nationalists" and "unabashed anti-Semites".