Putin more dangerous than Isis, says senator John McCain

Republican senator John McCain referred to Russian president Vladimir Putin as a bigger threat to global security than the so-called Islamic State on Monday during a tour of Australia.

The former US presidential candidate made the declaration during an interview with ABC, accusing the Kremlin of having attempted to influence several elections outside of Russia.

Speaking of Putin, McCain said: "I think he is the premier and most important threat, more so than Isis."

"Isis can do terrible things and I worry a lot about what is happening with the Muslim faith ... but it's the Russians who tried to destroy the fundamental of democracy and that is to change the outcome of an American election."

"I think he is the premier and most important threat, more so than Isis."

McCain has been critical of President Donald Trump both during his election campaign and since he entered the Oval Office, and he admitted that Trump’s handling of international security makes him "nervous".

Reports have been rife in recent days about Trump's son-in-law and key adviser Jared Kushner's relationship with Russia, with allegations circulating that he discussed setting up a back-channel contact with Kremlin officials.

It is the latest in a long line of reports about links between members of Trump’s administration and representatives from Putin's government.

"I don’t think there's any doubt that this FBI issue and the whole issue of the Russians, it’s a scandal of significant proportions and it’s going to be with us for quite a while."