White House denies Trump's alleged birthday message to Epstein

The White House has denied that an alleged letter from Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein is authentic, saying the president "did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it".

US lawmakers released the letter, which features a drawing of a woman's body, as part of a "birthday book" given to Epstein in 2003.

The book was part of a trove of documents released by a US House committee, including the late paedophile financier's will and his personal address book, which includes the names of royalty, celebrities, models and politicians from around the world.

The birthday book also contains a message from Lord Peter Mandelson, the UK Ambassador to the US, in which he calls Epstein "my best pal".

The House Oversight Committee last month issued a legal summons for the executors of Epstein's estate to produce a number of documents, including the birthday book.

The release comes as the president faces growing pressure, including from his own supporters and within his own Republican Party, for more transparency on what investigations into Epstein uncovered.