Hillary Clinton cleared over emails - but what is the damage?

Hillary Clinton cleared over emails - but what is the damage?

James Comey has effectively said "nothing to see here" - but 12 days ago he made the world watch as he reignited the Hillary Clinton email story, dropping a political hand grenade into the closing weeks of this election.

The headlines were explosive - the emails it would seem are not. But the director of the FBI changed the way the race was run.

The Democrats were caught off guard.

Instead of ending her campaign with a positive message of how she wanted to lead the country and who she would help, Mrs Clinton, under pressure in the polls, focused on her opponent's weaknesses as her surrogates waged war on Mr Comey.

:: Latest US election polling


It was a turbulent few days that dominated the political conversation.

Image: The letter from James Comey confirming no criminal case against Clinton

Donald Trump was given a lifeline, his team rejoicing in their 11th-hour gift.

It gave them fuel to focus his message.

There was already a deep well of suspicion around Mrs Clinton's trustworthiness. Now he had a closing argument.

He's lost that weapon, but the FBI investigation may have already inflicted serious harm on his opponent.

The Democrats' nominee made no mention of the news after it broke. At a rally in Cleveland, she tried to reshape her closing pitch, moving away from slamming her rival and towards focusing on her vision for America.

But Mr Trump refused to let go. In Sterling Heights, Michigan, he swiftly poured doubt on the conclusion, telling the crowd: "You can't review 650,000 emails in eight days."

That number was in fact never confirmed and the speed of the review suggests there were far fewer. But his claims of a "rigged system" have caught fire among his followers.

Will Florida be a piece of cake for Clinton?

:: Parties battle for Latino vote

The fact that the FBI has found no case to answer will likely only drive more claims of a conspiracy - and the dust is unlikely to settle by 8 November.

Perhaps Mr Comey will have to start job hunting. His decision to go public without evidence may have cost him his reputation.

He was lambasted on both sides for wading in at such a crucial moment, and while the FBI investigation has closed, the partisanship is intense.

This episode has exposed deep rifts in the nation's top law enforcement agency and resulted in leaks galore.

Image: Mr Comey's actions may have cost him his job

If Mr Trump wins, some Democrats will hold Mr Comey responsible. If Mrs Clinton clinches it, she may always blame him for how close she came to a political disaster.

A vague letter made a dirty race a lot darker. That race will soon be over. The fallout from this saga may take a lot longer.

:: Sky News will bring you every twist and turn of the US election results - and we're the only UK news organisation which will bring you details of the official exit poll. Our special coverage starts on Tuesday at 10pm.

Read more:

:: Trump vs Clinton on key issues for America

:: What time the polls close and when to expect a result

:: The states that will decide the outcome

:: The Electoral College and how you win a Presidential election