KUALA LUMPUR (ASIA NEWS NETWORK/THE STAR) - Lawyers Datuk Harpal Singh Grewal and M. Athimulan have withdrawn from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's legal team.

"Yes I can confirm we have both withdrawn ourselves from his team.

"We were not kicked out. We left because another team came in," said Harpal when contacted by The Star late on Monday night (May 21).

A news portal earlier reported that the duo have been kicked out from Najib's legal team.

Harpal added that the new team is being led by former solicitor general Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abidin.

Earlier at Najib's residence, both lawyers were seen leaving the premises around 8pm, but they did not answer questions from the media.