President Donald Trump asked FBI chief James Comey to drop an inquiry into links between his ex-national security adviser and Russia, US media report.

“I hope you can let this go,” Trump reportedly told Comey after a White House meeting in February, according to a memo written by the ex-FBI director, reports the BBC.

The memo was written immediately after the meeting, a day after Michael Flynn resigned, according to media reports.

The White House has denied the allegation in a statement.

“The president has never asked Comey or anyone else to end any investigation, including any investigation involving General Flynn,” it said.

An influential Republican congressman has called for the FBI to hand over all relevant documents within a week.

Jason Chaffetz, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, demanded all correspondence relating to communications between Comey and the president be presented by 24 May.

Flynn was forced out in February after he misled the vice-president about his conversations with Russia's ambassador before Trump took office.

The latest Russian twist, first reported by the New York Times, comes a week after Trump fired Comey over his handling of the FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while at the state department.

Comey's dismissal sent shockwaves through Washington, with critics accusing the president of trying to thwart the FBI investigation into Russia's alleged interference in the US election and any Moscow ties to Trump associates.

Comey reportedly wrote a memo following a meeting with the president on 14 February that revealed Trump had asked him to close an investigation into Flynn's actions. He reportedly shared the memo with top FBI associates.

BDST: 1645 HRS, MAY 17, 2017
AP