Donald Trump has admitted that he does not have any secret recordings of conversations with former FBI director James Comey, the Guardian reports.
It was widely reported that there were leaked tapes of their conversations, but he formally took to Twitter to squash the rumours, claiming he made no such recordings.
"With all of the recently reported electronic surveillance, intercepts, unmasking and illegal leaking of information, I have no idea ... whether there are 'tapes' or recordings of my conversations with James Comey, but I did not make, and do not have, any such recordings," he wrote on Twitter.
The rumours originally began to circulate after Comey's firing, when the US President tweeted a warning to his former employee, warning him about 'tapes' being leaked.
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Trump did not respond to questions regarding the statement, fuelling speculation that there were recordings of their conversations.
"James Comey better hope that there are no 'tapes' of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press," he said in May.
The tweet was reportedly in response to comments Comey had made about his sacking and 'loyalty', as well as an investigation into Trump's campaign and Russian officials.
During a hearing earlier this month, Comey said he hoped that such tapes did indeed exist, as they would support his interpretation of the meetings between him and the president.
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"I've seen the tweet about tapes. Lordy, I hope there are tapes," he said.
It was reported that Trump initially brought up the subject of 'tapes' in order to ensure that Comey told the truth about their talks in the aftermath of his sacking, though he knew full well no such things existed.
In May Trump fired the FBI director, amidst the Bureau's investigations surrounding alleged links between Russia and the US President's election campaign.
Mr Comey was giving a speech to FBI employees in Los Angeles when TV screens behind him flashed 'breaking news' banners announcing his sacking, and initially laughed it off as a prank. A day later, however, a letter was hand-delivered to the FBI's Washington headquarters, confirming the decision.
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The decision to get rid of the FBI director was prompted by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and his deputy Rod Rosenstein. They both cited Mr Comey's handling of the saga involving Hilary Clinton's private email server as the reason.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Credit: PA
President Trump issued this letter: "Dear Director Comey: I have received the attached letters from the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General of the United States 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 office, effective immediately.
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"While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the Bureau.
"It is essential that we find new leadership that restores public trust and confidence in its vital law enforcement mission. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours."
Source: The Guardian
Topics: Donald Trump
