Washington | An extraordinary stand-off between the Justice Department and Manhattan US Attorney-Geoffrey S Berman ended on Saturday (Sunday AEST) when the prosecutor agreed to leave his job with an assurance that his investigations into allies of President Donald Trump would not be disturbed.

The announcement capped two days of conflicting statements, allegations of political interference in prosecutions, and defiance from Mr Berman. On Saturday, Attorney-General William Barr said Berman's refusal to resign under pressure prompted Mr Trump to fire him. Mr Trump tried to distance himself from the dispute, telling reporters the decision "was all up to the Attorney-General".

AAP