Clinton’s shock claim

Hillary says Bill’s affair with Lewinsky ‘not abuse of power’

HILLARY Clinton has claimed her husband’s affair with Monica Lewinsky wasn’t an abuse of power – because the then-22-year-old White House intern “was an adult”.

The assertion by Mrs Clinton was particularly stunning given the current #MeToo movement she has championed, not to mention that her failed presidential campaign centred on her becoming the nation’s first female commander-in-chief if elected.

Asked if her husband, former US president Bill Clinton, should have resigned the presidency after the affair came to light, Mrs Clinton told a US TV show: “Absolutely not.”

Pressed on whether Mr Clinton had committed an abuse of power – since a president of the United States couldn’t have a consensual relationship with an intern – she added, “No, no,” because Lewinsky “was an adult”. Bill Clinton was 49 at the time.

Mrs Clinton then tried to deflect attention and focus on President Donald Trump and his many allegations of sexual misconduct that were levelled before the 2016 election.

“Let me ask you this: Where’s the investigation of the current incumbent, against whom numerous allegations have been made and which he dismisses, denies and ridicules?” Mrs Clinton said.

As for her husband, she said, “So there was an investigation, and it – as I believe – came out in the right place.”

The US House voted to impeach Bill Clinton for lying under oath and obstructing justice, but the US Senate later acquitted him.

The interview comes as a record number of women are seeking office this year.

Mrs Clinton said sexism was still front and centre in politics. She pointed out Brett Kavanaugh’s aggressive questioning of Democratic Senators Dianne Feinstein and Amy Klobuchar during his US Supreme Court confirmation hearings. “He didn’t do that to the men,” Mrs Clinton said.