A senior adviser to President Barack Obama is at the centre of intrigue and controversy after it was reported that she had revealed to the media details of Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email address for official business.

The New York Post claimed that Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to Mr Obama, had leaked the details of Mrs Clinton’s controversial use of the private email address for State Department business as part of a broader effort to undermine her chances of becoming president.

“The Obamas are out to get us any way they can,” former president Bill Clinton reportedly told a friend quoted by the paper.

There has been no comment from Ms Jarrett, 58, about the claims. The White House did not respond to inquiries about the issue on Sunday.

Hilary Clinton at press conference last week

Mrs Clinton has been at the centre of a no small political drama since it was revealed she had exclusively used a private email address while she was US Secretary of State. Some have claimed her actions may have broken guidelines and carried security risks.

Last week, as the media storm about the emails failed to abate, she held a press conference at which she insisted she had broken no rules but that, with hindsight, it would have been better for her to have used two separate email accounts - one for private matters and the other for work.

The paper claimed that Mr Obama and his inner circle are opposed to Mrs Clinton’s candidacy.