James Comey 'tried to hide from Donald Trump by blending in with curtains'

Friend reveals ex-FBI director's attempts to keep President at arm's length

Director of the FBI James Comey walks to greet US President Donald Trump during the Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception in the Blue Room of the White House (REUTERS)

James Comey once tried to blend in with a pair of White House curtains in the hope Donald Trump would not see him, it has been claimed.

The FBI director was so desperate not to interact with the President at an event honouring law enforcement officials in January he tried to use his blue suit to camouflage himself against the Blue Room decor, the New York Times reported.

But Mr Trump spotted the 6ft 8in Comey and called him over for a hug — though Mr Comey had been aiming instead for a handshake at the 22 January encounter.

According to Benjamin Wittes, a friend of Mr Comey's and a fellow at the Brookings Institution think tank: "He thought he had gotten through and not been noticed or singled out and that he was going to get away without an individual interaction.

"Comey said that as he was walking across the room he was determined that there wasn’t going to be a hug.

"It was bad enough there was going to be a handshake. And Comey has long arms so Comey said he pre-emptively reached out for a handshake and grabbed the president’s hand.

"But Trump pulled him into an embrace and Comey didn’t reciprocate. If you look at the video, it’s one person shaking hands and another hugging."

Mr Comey was keen to keep Mr Trump at arm's length, according to the Times, before he was dramatically fired earlier this month.