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Sean Spicer has quit as President Donald Trump's White House press secretary.

His controversial time in the position ended after Trump offered a communications director role to New York banker Anthony Scaramucci today.

The New York Times reported Spicer told the President he believed the appointment was a big mistake.

Wall Street financier Scaramucci is a long-time Trump supporter.

Confirming his resignation, Spicer tweeted: "It's been an honor & a privilege to serve @POTUS@realDonaldTrump & this amazing country. I will continue my service through August"

Last month it was reported the White House was considering stopping Spicer from dealing with the press following a series of embarrassing gaffes.

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A senior official said discussions had taken place to shift the under fire press secretary from his daily spokesman role into a senior communications position.

Spicer has been a frequent source of criticism for his performance at the White House lectern during daily news briefings, although President Donald Trump has stood by him through a variety of controversies.

He had a tough start as press secretary when he was mocked for suggested Trump attracted the "largest audience ever to witness an inauguration".

The claim was made as official photos proved Trump drew smaller crowds to watch his inauguration than Barack Obama eight years earlier.

In April, Spicer sparked outrage and calls to be sacked after he said "even Hitler" didn't use chemical weapons .

(Image: Getty Images North America)

Mr Spicer invoked the Nazi Fuhrer - who had millions murdered in the Holocaust including with poison gas - in a bid to show the scale and of Syrian President Assad's crimes.

He later said it was "inappropriate and insensitive" and added "I won't do it again".

In March, Mr Trump’s spokesman sensationally suggested British spies may have colluded with Barack Obama to covertly surveil the President before last year’s election.

Spicer repeated a claim that the secretive Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) were drafted in to avoid any “American fingerprints" on the alleged surveillance.

Although the Home Office refused to comment on claims, one official said called the allegations "totally untrue and quite frankly absurd."

(Image: REUTERS)

And in May Spicer claimed a 'small group of people' "knew exactly" what Donald Trump meant when the President posted a seemingly incoherent tweet that included the word "covfefe".

When asked in an interview: "Do you think some people should be concerned the President posted somewhat of an incoherent tweet last night and that it then stayed up for hours," Spicer replied "no".

He was then challenged further and asked: "Why did it stay up so long? Is no-one watching this?"

Spicer, sticking up for Trump, replied: "No, I think the President and a small group of people know exactly what he meant."

Spicer was the subject of ridicule from American comedians, who poked fun at his combative style.

He was famously lampooned by Melissa McCarthy on Saturday Night Live.

In the skit, a furious Spicer sprayed journalists with soapy water and drove his podium into reporters that annoyed him.

The real Spicer later said that he found the segment "funny", but did say McCarthy could "dial it back".

Meanwhile a Trump donor told Politico that the portrayal left the President fuming, adding: "Trump doesn't like his people to look weak".

Spicer had been acting as press secretary and communications director after the previous communications director, Michael Dubke, resigned on May 30.

Currently at the Export-Import Bank, Scaramucci is expected to start his new job in August, according to White House officials.

Announcing the new appointment, the White House did not expect any other changes in the communications team, then made up of press secretary Spicer and his deputy, Sarah Sanders, the official said.

The appointment comes as the White House deals with questions around a special counsel probe and several congressional investigations into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and potential collusion with Trump's campaign.

The communications position has been vacant since Michael Dubke resigned in May as communications director. Spicer has been serving a dual role as press secretary and communications director since Dubke left.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Scaramucci was interviewed by Trump on Friday morning and the job had been offered and accepted.

Scaramucci, a Republican fundraiser and founder of Skybridge Capital, was earlier offered the post of U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris.