A journalist has been banned from an event with president Donald Trump after asking him questions about Putin and his lawyer Michael Cohen.

CNN reporter, White House correspondent Kaitlin Collins was “dis-invited” from a later press conference after asking Trump four questions at an earlier event at which she was the ‘pool reporter’, representing numerous media organisations.

The president didn’t answer any of the questions, which she asked during a photo opportunity with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

She was told by deputy chief of staff for communications Bill Shine and press secretary Sarah Sanders her questions were” inappropriate” according to reports.

CNN tweeted: “Just because the White House is uncomfortable with a question regarding the news of the day doesn’t mean the question isn’t relevant and shouldn’t be asked.

“This decision to bar a member of the press is retaliatory in nature and not indicative of an open and free press. We demand better.”

It said Ms Collins had asked: “Did Michael Cohen betray you?”, “Are you worried about what Michael Cohen is about to say to the prosecutors?”, “Are you worried about what is on the other tapes Mr President?” and “Why is Vladimir Putin not accepting your invitation?”

This week a covertly recorded audio tape of Trump talking with his lawyer Mr Cohen in 2016 about a payout to an alleged mistress was made public.

He’s heard discussing how they would buy the rights to a Playboy model's story about an alleged affair Trump had with her years earlier, according to the audio recording of the conversation aired on CNN's Cuomo Prime Time.

Mr Cohen told Mr Trump about his plans to set up a company and finance the purchase of the rights from American Media, which publishes the National Enquirer.

It’s among 12 tapes obtained by the FBI when they raided Cohen’s home and office earlier this year.

Meawhile, the White House has said it would delay the visit of Putin to the White House after Trump’s invite last week, until Russian election interfering was investigated.