New acting FBI director rejects WH assertions on Comey

Acting FBI director Andrew McCabe has rejected the White House assertions that the FBI employees had lost faith in James Comey.

McCabe told members of the Senate intelligence committee: "I hold director Comey in the absolute highest regard. I have the highest respect for his considerable abilities and his integrity," CNN reports.

Comey enjoyed "broad support within the FBI and still does to this day," he added.

"The majority, the vast majority of FBI employees enjoyed a deep, positive connection to Director Comey."

White House deputy press secretary Sarah Sanders had earlier said the President "and the rest of the FBI" had lost confidence in Comey.

The acting FBI director also said there had been no effort to impede the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the election, but vowed to inform a Senate panel if the White House tried to intervene.

McCabe also clarified that he believed the agency had adequate resources to complete the job, amid reports that Comey had asked for more resources for the Russia investigation.