Woman caught up in General David Petraeus affair to sue FBI and US Defence Department for defamation

Jill Kelley and her husband, Scott, said government officials leaked damaging false information about them

A woman who became caught at the centre of the scandal involving the former CIA director David Petraeus’s extramarital affair has sued the FBI and US Defence Department for defamation.

In a complaint filed in court in Washington on Monday, Jill Kelley and her husband, Scott, said government officials leaked damaging false information about them. Her name surfaced after Mr Petraeus quit the CIA in November over an affair with his biographer.

The scandal led to the publication of allegations about an inappropriate relationship between Ms Kelley and General John Allen, which both denied.