Steve Bannon leaves his role of Chief Strategist role to Donald Trump's administration

  • Video report by ITV News correspondent Juliet Bremner

Steve Bannon is leaving his position as Chief Strategist to Donald Trump's administration, the White House has confirmed.

A statement said he would be leaving immediately after a "mutual decision" with the chief of staff.

His exit marks the latest in a string of high-profile departures from the White House.

The former Breitbart executive was a key adviser to Mr Trump during the election campaign and has been a forceful but contentious presence in a divided White House.

However, he has less secure in Mr Trump's favour in recent weeks.

In a press conference on Tuesday, the US president had refused to confirm whether Mr Bannon would remain in post, saying only "We'll see".

Mr Trump had distanced himself from Mr Bannon, amid reports he felt the strategist was taking too much credit for his unexpected success in the Presidential race.

In his press conference on Tuesday, Mr Trump said: "I like Mr Bannon. He’s a friend of mine. But Mr Bannon came on very late" in reference to his campaign.

Mr Bannon may also have suffered damage after giving an extraordinary interview to a left-wing journal in which he dismissed Mr Trump's position on North Korea and attacked colleagues within the administration.

He told the reporter there was no prospect America could stage an attack on the rogue state - directly contradicting the US president's rhetoric.

Neither Mr Trump nor Mr Bannon made any immediate comment on his exit.

Anthony Scaramucci was another key departure from the White House Credit: AP

It is just the latest in a stream of key aides who have left the White House in recent weeks.

Anthony Scaramucci was fired from the role of Communications Director by the US President in July after just ten days in the job.

Former chief of staff Reince Priebus was also sacked from his role and replaced by General John F. Kelly.

And White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer [**resigned after just six months**](http://White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer resigns after six months), during which he was criticised for resorting to gross distortions of the truth to suit Mr Trump's agenda.