Former US Attorney General Eric Holder slams James Comey over Clinton email probe

Former Attorney General Eric Holder is assailing FBI Director James Comey for divulging that the bureau has reopened its investigation of Hillary Clinton‘s emails, saying he unleashed “a torrent of conspiracy theories and misrepresentations.”

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“That decision was incorrect,” Holder writes in an op-ed in Monday’s editions of The Washington Post. “It violated longstanding Justice Department policies and tradition.”

Holder was referring to Comey’s notification to the Republican heads of congressional committees that the scrutiny of Clinton’s emails was being resumed in light of information turned up in connection with an unrelated investigation. That probe involves former Rep. Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of Clinton aide and confidant Huma Abedin.

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“Director Comey broke with these fundamental principles. I fear he has unintentionally and negatively affected public trust in both the Justice Department and the FBI. And he has allowed — again without improper motive — misinformation to be spread by partisans with less pure intentions,” reads the article.

Holder said the Justice Department “has a policy of not taking unnecessary action close in time to Election Day that might influence an election’s outcome.”

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“He is a man of integrity and honour. I respect him,” Holder said of Comey. But he added that “good men make mistakes. In this instance, he has committed a serious error with potentially severe implications.”