Petraeus's biographer tells family she is 'devastated' by fallout from affair

Paula Broadwell at her home in Charlotte, North Carolina, yesterday (Reuters)

The woman whose affair with David Petraeus led to the CIA director's resignation has told friends that she is "devastated" by the scandal and "deeply regrets the damage that's been done to her family and everyone else's".

Paula Broadwell, the General's biographer, explained to a small group of friends and neighbours that she is "trying to move forward", according to the Associated Press. She added that she had been "overwhelmed" by their support.

The comments came as Ms Broadwell returned to her home in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and two small children, after more than a week attempting to lie low. Her comments were reported to the AP by a "family associate", speaking on condition of anonymity.

She remains under investigation for apparently sending threatening emails to Jill Kelley, a woman perceived to be a rival for the General's affections, and for the possession of classified documents that were found on her laptop by the FBI.

Ms Broadwell has yet to go on the record about the scandal, although General Petraeus appears to have no such qualms. He spoke to CNN last week and is now reported to have hired a prominent Washington lawyer, Robert Barnett, to help him exit public life. Mr Barnett, who represents such celebrities as Barbra Streisand, is particularly renowned for helping members of the political élite negotiate book deals, and his previous clients in that area include Sarah Palin and Barack Obama. But the website Politico, which revealed his appointment by General Petraeus, said the General has no book planned.