A British-based US academic approached Donald Trump campaign figures before the 2016 election to investigate suspected Russia links for the FBI, according to American newspapers.

The New York Times and The Washington Post have both reported that the US informant made the approaches as suspicions rose in American intelligence community.

Carter Page and George Papadopoulos, two Trump campaign foreign policy advisers, were both reportedly approached by the professor.

Sam Clovis, the Trump campaign co-chairman, also met the academic for coffee in the summer of 2016, according to The Washington Post.

Both papers said they had identified the academic but chose not to name them in public. It is unclear with which UK academic institution the person is linked.

The approaches have fallen under fierce scrutiny from Republicans in Congress as they question the origins of the Russian election meddling investigation., which has hung over Mr Trump's presidency.