First Lady Melania Trump has taken the extraordinary step of publicly demanding one of the president's senior national security officials be sacked.

Mrs Trump is reported to have complained about Mira Ricardel, who currently serves as the deputy national security adviser under John Bolton, after her recent trip to Africa.

Following reports that Ms Ricardel could be pushed out during a staffing reshuffle, Mrs Trump's spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said on Tuesday: “It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she [Ms Ricardel] no longer deserves the honour of serving in this White House”.

Reports have been circulating in recent weeks that Donald Trump would shake up his cabinet after the midterm elections, but it is highly unusual for the First Lady's office to comment on personnel issues within the West Wing.

According to US media, Ms Ricardel had a recent spat with members of the first lady's staff over her trip to Africa, including seating on the plane and use of National Security Council resources.

Ms Ricardel has only been in the post for seven months and is reported to have previously clashed with James Mattis, the Defence Secretary, and his team at the Pentagon.

It comes amid reports Mr Trump is planning to make several major staffing changes in the next few weeks, including replacing his chief of staff John Kelly.