American hackers could have planted false evidence that Russia interfered in the US presidential election, says President Vladimir Putin in his latest speculation about the source of embarrassing Clinton campaign emails leaked during last year’s election.

US intelligence officials have said Russia tried to interfere in the US election by hacking the Democratic Party, in order to help Donald Trump – a charge the Kremlin has repeatedly denied.

Putin, who made headlines on Friday by conceding Russian hackers might have interfered in the election for “patriotic reasons”, put his latest spin on the mystery that has obsessed Washington since Donald Trumps surprise win in November.

In an interview with NBC News’ Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly, a preview of which was released to media, Putin said US hackers could have made it look like Russia was responsible for political reasons.

“Hackers can be anywhere. They can be in Russia, in Asia … even in America, Latin America,” Putin said.

“There can even be hackers, by the way, in the United States, who very skilfully and professionally, shifted the blame, as we say, onto Russia.

“Can you imagine something like that in the midst of a political battle!

“By some calculations it was convenient for them to release this information, so they released it, citing Russia. Could you imagine something like that? I can.”

Speaking at Russia’s flagship St Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday, Putin said the hacking accusations were no more than “harmful gossip”.