Comey testimony as it happened: Trump's lawyer hits back at fired FBI director and says he could be investigated

The Independent will be covering his testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee live

Former FBI Director James Comey says Donald Trump demanded personal loyalty to him (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

Former FBI Director James Comey is due to give evidence to the Senate Intelligence Committee about conversations he had with President Donald Trump and whether the former businessman pressured him to drop an investigation into former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.

The committee has already released his prepared opening statement in which he will confirm under oath that Mr Trump tried to get him to drop the probe into whether General Flynn, who was forced to resign two weeks after the inauguration, had met with Russian officials during the campaign to discuss economic sanctions imposed by Barack Obama.

He will also testify about a pair of phone calls with Mr Trump where he had reportedly complained to him about the FBI's investigation into his campaign team's links with Russia, calling it a "cloud" looming over the presidency and reportedly urged mr comey to state publicly that the President himself was not under investigation.

Follow our liveblog below the video:

Key Points

• Comey says he leaked Trump meeting memo in order to secure appointment of special prosecutor
• Comey: I believe I was fired by Trump because of the Russia investigation
• Trump administration 'told lies and defamed me', says Comey
• Former FBI director says he was 'confused and concerned' by the reasons given for Trump firing him
• Former FBI Director James Comey's opening statement on Donald Trump in full 

[8 June 2017 19:50 · Adam Withnall]

And as for that strange final set of questioning from John McCain - the Senator has released a statement that appears to acknowledge that his questions "went over people's heads".

“Maybe going forward I shouldn’t stay up late watching the Diamondbacks night games,” he says.

[8 June 2017 20:12 · Adam Withnall]

Mark Warner - the Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee  tells CNN:  “I don’t accept the President’s lawyer’s explanation” of Mr Comey’s memos constituting leaks of “privileged” or classified material.

He says he’s “amazed” the White House won’t comment on whether there’s a secret taping system for meetings.

The arguments over the leak seem to be splitting along party lines.

[8 June 2017 20:20 · Adam Withnall]

Mr Kasowitz - President Trump's personal lawyer - claimed that Mr Trump had been completely vindicated and that the 'cloud' of the Russia investigation had been completely lifted.

However, with both Democrats and Republicans spinning Mr Comey's testimony, there is little doubt that the fallout will continue. 

[8 June 2017 20:27 · Adam Withnall]

Our commentators and analysts have started to have their say over Mr Comey's testimony. There is certainly plenty to digest.

[8 June 2017 20:29 · Adam Withnall]

Bernie Sanders has had his say on Mr Comey's testimony. As usual, he pulls few punches over the conduct of Mr Trump.

"What we learned today was deeply troubling and makes me more concerned than ever about President Trump’s attempts to derail an investigation of Russian meddling in our democracy.

"Remarkably, Mr. Comey said President Trump is a liar. He said his concern that Trump would lie about their meetings was why he detailed their encounters in writing. He also accused the president of spreading ‘lies, plain and simple’ about the FBI that ‘defamed’ Comey and the agency.

"The White House said Trump ‘is not a liar.’

"Unfortunately, most people would agree with Mr. Comey. On issue after issue after issue, Trump has blatantly lied. Dangerously, this diminishes the office of the president and our standing in the world."

[8 June 2017 20:56 · Adam Withnall]

Back at the White House, President Trump is chairing a meeting on infrastructure with a number of mayors and governors from around the US.

He has ignored all questions from journalists about the testimony of Mr Comey.

[8 June 2017 21:25 · Adam Withnall]

As has become a theme - we have competing narratives from the Democrats and the Republicans.

The Republican National Committee has said that Mr Comey's testimony has vindicated President Trump, and that for Mr Comey, his appearance was "a last ditch attempt to save face with the American people".

But, Chuck Schumer the top Democrat in the Senate has said that if Mr Trump disagrees with any of Mr Comey's testimony he should "play the tapes for all of America to hear".

[8 June 2017 21:30 · Adam Withnall]

And that is where we are going to end our live coverage for today. No doubt the fallout from James Comey's testimony will continue and our wrap of events - below - will updated accordingly . 

Thanks for reading!