Colin Powell lambasts Trump as a ‘national disgrace'

Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell has reportedly hit out at Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump a "national disgrace," according to leaked emails.

The leaked emails were posted on DCLeaks.com, which has reportedly been tied to other recent high-profile hacks.

They show that the former secretary of state, who served during George W Bush's administration, also called Trump an "international pariah" who "is in the process of destroying himself".

"No need for Dems to attack him," the email said, according to BuzzFeed News.

In a separate email sent on 21 August, Powell also criticised Trump for promoting the birther movement, which questioned whether President Barack Obama was born in the US.

"Yup, the whole birther movement was racist," the email read. "That's what the 99% believe. When Trump couldn't keep that up he said he also wanted to see if the certificate noted that he was a Muslim."

Powell, who has been quiet during the election, said he had "no further comment" but was "not denying it".

The leaked emails also revealed Powell's frustrations with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and her handling of her use of private email while at the state department.

"Sad thing... HRC could have killed this two years ago by merely telling everyone honestly what she had done and not tie me into it," the email read, referring to Hillary Clinton.

"I told her staff three times not to try that gambit. I had to throw a mini tantrum at a Hampton's party to get their attention."