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The US secretary of state John Kerry has called the country’s presidential election “downright embarrassing”.

Mr Kerry today met with Mayor Sadiq Khan at London’s City Hall when he made the comments, saying the election had stepped “out of any norm”.

There is just over a week to go before the American public elect either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton after months on the campaign trail.

The Democrat Party politician answered questions from London sixth-formers today, who were warned there were “strict rules” around what he could talk about in relation to the election.

But when asked how the 2016 election has impacted on US relations abroad, Mr Kerry said; "This election has been difficult for our country's perception abroad. There are moments when it is downright embarrassing."

He added that there are "times when it steps out of any norm" he has known.

"I could never imagine debates that were not focused on real issues," he said.

His comments come as Democrat candidate Mrs Clinton was forced to again defend herself over her use of a private email system, saying she would not be “knocked off course” in the election’s final days.

The email-related controversy has dogged her for more than a year.

Meanwhile, Republican candidate Mr Trump has been condemned for comments he made about women in a recording from 2005 and has been the subject of allegations of sexual misconduct.