Flynn resigns as Trump's national security advisor over breach of protocol

Michael T. Flynn has resigned as national security adviser to President Donald Trump after misleading the White House following discussions with the Russian ambassador to the United States.

Flynn had assured Vice President Mike Pence that he had not discussed the possibility of lifting US sanctions on Russia.

Trump national security adviser Flynn resigns in controversy over Russian contacts https://t.co/EsQ4VYGc1Q pic.twitter.com/7JBqdL6Rsj

— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) February 14, 2017

However, transcripts of communications between Flynn and Sergey Kislyev show that the subject had come up in conversation.

In his letter of resignation Flynn admitted he had “inadvertently briefed the vice-president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador.”

Flynn had no authorisation for such a dialogue.

Michael Flynn is said to have talked to Russians about sanctions before Trump took office https://t.co/nuGySDrMkl pic.twitter.com/L0KdvucWO2

— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 10, 2017

The US Justice Department believed Flynn’s indiscretion could open him up to blackmail.

Retired Lt Gen Joseph Keith Kellogg has been appointed acting national security adviser.

Others in the hat for the permanent position are David Petraeus and Robert Harward

The resignation marks yet more turmoil in Trump’s fledgling presidency.