Irish American Jill Kelley has emerged as a major player in the events surrounding the affair which led to the resignation of CIA chief David Petraeus.

Kelley is a 37-year-old resident of Tampa in Florida who acts as a ‘social liaison’ to local military bases.

The New York Post claims that Petraeus biographer Paula Broadwell, who had an affair with the CIA boss, sent harassing emails to Kelley.

A senior military official has told the paper that these emails triggered an FBI investigation.

A second source has confirmed to the Post that Kelley and Petraeus are friends.

The FBI probe that ultimately forced Petraeus to quit as CIA director last week began several months ago with a complaint against Broadwel,l according to the report.

Investigators were led to Broadwell’s email account which uncovered the relationship with Petraeus.

Read more: CIA Director David Petraeus retires citing an extramarital affair