Washington, April 19 -- Concerns have emerged over Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Kash Patel's conduct and leadership within the White House and the agency, with some current and former officials alleging excessive drinking and erratic behaviour. Patel briefly panicked earlier this month after being locked out of an internal FBI system due to a technical glitch, believing he had been fired. The issue was later found to be a malfunction, but the episode triggered confusion within the agency and among lawmakers, according to a report in The Atlantic. The report also cited concerns among officials about Patel's conduct, including allegations of heavy drinking at private events and during trips, which at times affected his schedule. It said some meetings were rescheduled and that security personnel had, on occasion, struggled to reach him. An official cited in the report said, "We're all just waiting for the word" that Patel is out of the job. It also said that some of his FBI colleagues were beginning to worry that his behaviour was a threat to public safety. It further said some administration officials have discussed potential replacements, though Donald Trump continues to back Patel. At the same time, The Atlantic noted that "Patel has held on to his job in part because of his commitment to using the federal government to target political or personal adversaries of the president." Patel rejected the allegations and threatened legal action. "See you and your entire entourage of false reporting in court... But do keep at it with the fake news, actual malice standard is now what some would call a legal lay up," he said. White House officials also defended him, praising his performance....