World

Wikileaks claims to have CIA boss John Brennan's emails

October 21, 2015 6:10 pm

Wikileaks claims to have the contents of CIA director John Brennan’s personal email account.

The media organisation published data purporting to be from the account three hours after it announced it would.

The FBI and Secret Service have been investigating reports Mr Brennan’s account was hacked.

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A high school student claimed to be responsible and told the New York Post he found work-related files such as an application for top security clearance.

The alleged hacker, who has remained anonymous, was described by the New York Post newspaper as a stoner high-school student who was angry about US foreign policy.

His Twitter account, where he is described as 13 years old, has published redacted images of what appear to be government information.

The documents leaked include one which is unfinished and has the heading “Damaging Leaks of Classified Information”.

High profile leaks including a wealth of diplomatic cables from Wikileaks have dogged the US government in recent years.

The use of private email has become a major issue in recent months for White House hopeful Hilary Clinton, since it emerged that she had done so while secretary of state.

Brennan became director of the CIA in 2013 having spent four years as assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism.