US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has submitted his letter of resignation, he has told a congressional panel.

The 75-year-old top American spy had been expected to step aside, as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to appoint his own officials, reports the BBC.

Analysts believe that he is sending a signal to the Trump administration that they must now speed up the transition.

Trump has denied that his transition team is in turmoil, despite having only filled two postings so far.

One of his close advisers, Kellyanne Conway, said journalists at Trump Tower in New York that announcements would be made before or after Thanksgiving, which is one week away.

Clapper will remain in post until President Barack Obama leaves office.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence told the BBC that “as required of all appointed Administration officials, DNI Clapper has signed a letter of resignation effective at noon on January 20, 2017.”

Clapper has authority over 17 different agencies including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

More than 107,000 employees report to him with a combined budget of over $52 billion (£41.8 billion).

In his role, he has often been in the position of defending the National Security Agency (NSA), just one of the covert agencies that his office oversees.

Clapper has served in the job for six years after previously working for the US Air Force and the Defense Intelligence Agency.

BDST: 1048 HRS, NOV 18, 2016
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