WASHINGTON: Donald Trump called James Comey a “leaker” after the former FBI director accused him in congressional testimony of trying to quash an investigation and lying.

“Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication … and WOW, Comey is a leaker!” Trump tweeted in his first comments since the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Thursday.

Comey delivered a scathing indictment of the US President, accusing him of trying to block an investigation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn and saying the White House defamed him and the FBI in trying to explain his dismissal.

He told the Senate panel he took meticulous notes of each meeting or conversation he had with Trump because “I was honestly concerned that he might lie about the nature of our meeting, and so I thought it really important to document.”