FBI chief reopens probe over Clinton’s emails

THE FBI has re-opened its investigation into Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s emails.

James Comey, the bureau’s director, told the US Congress that investigators have discovered new emails “in connection with an unrelated case... that appear to be pertinent to the investigation”.

He added that investigators would determine whether the emails contain classified information.

The FBI has already found the Democratic candidate had sensitive information on a private email server.

Mr Comey had previously called Mrs Clinton’s handling of classified material during her time as secretary of state “extremely careless”, but cleared her of any criminal wrongdoing.

In his letter to Congress, the FBI chief said he hadn’t yet assessed whether or not the new material may be significant, and could not predict how long it will take for the additional work to be completed.

It was not clear from Mr Comey’s letter where the new emails came from or who sent or received them.

Donald Trump, Mrs Clinton’s opponent in the race for the White House, has praised the FBI’s decision.

The Republican nominee said that “perhaps finally justice will be served”.

He was addressing a crowd in Manchester, New Hampshire, yesterday – shortly after news broke of the FBI decision.

Mr Trump claimed that Mrs Clinton was guilty of corruption “on a scale we have never seen before” and said that “we must not let her take her criminal scheme into the Oval Office”.

He had previously been very critical of the FBI and Department of Justice for the earlier decision not to bring charges against the Democratic nominee.

House of Representatives speaker Paul Ryan said Mrs Clinton has “nobody but herself to blame”.

Mr Ryan, a Republican, added: “She was entrusted with some of our nation’s most important secrets, and she betrayed that trust by carelessly mishandling highly classified information.

“This decision, long overdue, is the result of her reckless use of a private email server, and her refusal to be forthcoming with federal investigators.

“I renew my call for the director of national intelligence to suspend all classified briefings for secretary Clinton until this matter is fully resolved.”

Mrs Clinton’s vice-presidential nominee Tim Kaine gave little away when asked about the new probe.

Mr Kaine said he has “got to read a little more”.