Summary

  • President Trump warns fired FBI chief Comey over media leaks

  • Comey was leading inquiry into alleged Trump campaign-Russia ties

  • President's account of their dinner conversation differs from people close to Comey

  • Democrats call for an independent special prosecutor

Live Reporting

Rebecca Seales, Tom Spender and Max Matza

  1. Dismissal 'jeopardises Russia investigation' - former CIA analyst

    Evan McMullin, a former CIA analyst that ran against Trump as a Republican, says Comey's firing may compromise the investigation into Russian meddling in the US election.

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  2. Cummings: Involvement of Sessions is 'mindboggling'

    Democractic Rep Elijah Cummings, the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, has released a statement calling the involvement of Attorney General Jeff Sessions "mindboggling".

    Sessions, a longtime ally of Trump, wrote to the president advising him to sack Comey.

    Cummings called for emergency hearings in Congress.

    Letter

  3. Letter 'hand delivered by Trump aide'

    Letter firing Comey was hand delivered to the FBI by longterm Trump aide Keith Schiller, CNN reports.

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  4. Deputy AG: Comey released Clinton news 'gratuitously'

    A letter from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is scathing about Comey's handling of the Clinton email announcement, accusing him of releasing the information "gratuitously" and calling it a "textbook example of what federal prosecutors are taught not to do".

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  5. Quick reactions from Twitter

    Ben Rhodes, former White House adviser to President Obama 

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    Fox News presenter Sean Hannity

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    Senator Tim Kaine, Clinton's pick for vice-president 

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    Former Clinton campaign manager Robbie Mook

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  6. Comey in LA for recruitment event

    Comey reportedly received the news in LA, where he was due to appear at a rare FBI recruiting event aimed at bolstering minorities and women among the ranks.

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  7. Comey 'terminated and removed from office' - White House statement

    Here's the full statement, tweeted by White House press secretary Sean Spicer.

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  8. 'I'm sorry that happened': BBC breaks news to John McCain

    The BBC's Barbara Plett Usher broke the news to senior Republican Senator John McCain moments ago. Here's the full transcript of her interaction: 

    Plett Usher: The FBI Director Mr Comey has been fired. 

    McCain: He's what? 

    Plett Usher: He's been fired. 

    McCain: I did not know that. 

    Plett Usher: Do you have any reaction? 

    McCain: I'm sorry that that happened because I happen to have great respect for him. And I regret that that took place. The President does have that authority so I respect that. 

  9. Attorney General Sessions recommended Comey's dismissal

    Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a vocal supporter of Trump since the early stages of the campaign, wrote to the president advising him that "a fresh start is needed at the leadership of the FBI".

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  10. Full letter from Trump to Comey

    Comey was reportedly told the news by his staff, after a letter from President Trump said the director was "not able to effectively lead the Bureau" and it was "essential that we find new leadership".

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