Michael Avenatti, a chief critic of US president Donald Trump and the lawyer for porn actress Stormy Daniels, has been released from police custody following his arrest on a domestic violence charge in Los Angeles.

Avenatti criticised the allegation as “completely bogus” and “fabricated and meant to do harm to my reputation” in a statement released by his law firm.

Avenatti, who has said he is mulling a 2020 presidential run, posted 50,000 dollar (£38,450) bail and was released about four hours after he was arrested on Wednesday.

Police declined to provide any details about the alleged victim, including that person’s relationship to Avenatti.

As he left the police station on Wednesday, Avenatti said he had never hit a woman and said he has been an advocate for women’s rights his entire career.

“I wish to thank the hard working men and woman of the LAPD for their professionalism and their work today. They had no option in light of the allegations,” Avenatti said.

“I am looking forward to a full investigation, at which point I am confident that I will be fully exonerated.”

Avenatti became famous as Daniels’ lawyer and pursued the president and those close to him relentlessly for months, taunting Mr Trump in interviews and baiting him and his lawyers in tweets.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has said she had an affair with Mr Trump in 2006 and has sued to invalidate the confidentiality agreement she signed days before the 2016 presidential election that prevents her discussing it. She also sued Mr Trump and his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, alleging defamation.

Mr Trump has denied having an affair.

The Vermont Democratic Party cancelled events planned for Friday and Saturday, where Avenatti was scheduled to speak, and is refunding ticket sales.