'There's a lot I'd love to say' - US Secretary of State John Kerry on Clinton email controversy

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton pauses while speaking at a rally at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa, Friday, Oct. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

US Secretary of State John Kerry refused to be drawn into the Hillary Clinton e-mail controversy, despite admitting "there's a lot I'd love to say."

Mr Kerry, who was in Ireland to accept the Tipperary Peace Prize, warned that as US Secretary of State he had to firmly stay out of the matter.

A war of words has now erupted between Mrs Clinton, the Democratic Presidential challenger, and the FBI who re-opened an investigation into the private e-mail server she operated as Mr Kerry's predecessor as Secretary of State.

The FBI said last July that no prosecution was deemed necessary though they described Mrs Clinton as "careless" in operating such a private server contrary to federal security regulations.

The new investigation, confirmed by the FBI director to Congress, followed the discovery of new e-mail material though this was from a third party and not Mrs Clinton.

Mr Kerry said he was not aware of any details of the latest developments.

The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry in Ireland for a one-day visit. PIC SHOWS: Mr. Charles Flanagan T.D.; Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade shakes hands with The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry at The Aherlow House Hotel, Glen of Aherlow, Co. Tipperary. Pic: Maxwells Photography

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"No, I haven't been notified of anything," he said.

"No, I haven't been requested (for) anything. No, I am not aware of the department being requested (for anything) and I have no further comment to make whatsoever on the subject.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at a rally at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa, Friday, Oct. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

However, Mr Kerry acknowledged that, as a private citizen, his position was clearly different.

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"Obviously as an American citizen, not to mention as a former (US Presidential) nominee of the party there is a lot I would love to say about what has been going on."

The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry in Ireland for a one-day visit. Pic shows: Mr. Charles Flanagan T.D.; Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade greets The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry at The Aherlow House Hotel, Glen of Aherlow, Co. Tipperary.Pic: Maxwells Photography

"But I cannot and I am just going to remain out of this which is the appropriate place for the US Secretary of State regarding this issue."

The fresh FBI investigation came at a critical time in the US Presidential election race with opinion polls showing a reduction in Hillary Clinton's lead and an apparent surge in support for Republican Donald Trump.

Online Editors