FBI Director Comey a man of integrity: White House

The White House said US President Barack Obama believes FBI Director James Comey is "a man of integrity" and refused to criticize his announcement that the FBI is reviewing more emails pertaining to Hillary Clinton.

"I'll neither defend nor criticize what Director Comey has decided to communicate to the public about this investigation," said White House press secretary Josh Earnest, The Washington Times reported on Monday.

"The president doesn't believe he's secretly strategizing to benefit one candidate or political party. He's in a tough spot."

Democratic President nominee Clinton's campaign, and Democrats in Congress, have blasted Comey's announcement, saying it could influence the presidential election.

Earnest said the president believes Comey is "a man of integrity, a man of principle."

The president's spokesman said he has no "independent knowledge" about how Comey made the decision to notify Congress that he was reviewing more emails in Clinton's case.

Earnest said the president still has confidence in Comey and "thinks very highly" of him.

--IANS

pgh/