US President Donald Trump has fired James Comey, the director of the FBI which is investigating whether his campaign had ties with Russia's alleged interference in the US elections.
In a letter, Trump told Comey that he was no longer effectively able to lead the bureau and it was necessary to restore "public trust and confidence" in it.
"I have received the attachment letters from Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General of the US recommending your dismissal as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I have accepted their recommendation and you are hereby terminated and removed from the office, effective immediately," Trump said in the letter.
The shock move comes days after Comey testified on Capitol Hill about the FBI's investigation into Russia's election meddling and possible connections between the country and Trump's campaign.
In the letter, Trump acknowledged that Comey had informed him "on three separate occasions" that he was not under investigation. "I nevertheless concur with the judgement of the Department of Justice that you are not able to affectively lead the Bureau," he added.
The White House said the search for the new FBI Director would begin immediately.
Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters: "The President has accepted the recommendation of the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General regarding the dismissal of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation."
Comey had courted controversy during the 2016 presidential polls when he revealed a renewed investigation into Hillary Clinton's email use, which the Democrat claimed hurt her chances of becoming president.
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