U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday ordered a new probe by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into sexual assault allegations against his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

"I've ordered the FBI to conduct a supplemental investigation to update Judge Kavanaugh's file. As the Senate has requested, this update must be limited in scope and completed in less than one week," Trump said in a statement released by the White House.

In a separate statement simultaneously released by the White House, Kavanaugh said he will continue to cooperate with further investigation.

Trump's decision came after Republican Senator Jeff Flake supported delaying a vote on Kavanaugh's confirmation to allow for further investigation.

Currently, three women have come forward to accuse Kavanaugh of sexual harassment or assault during his high school and college years.