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Hillary Clinton's poll lead over Donald Trump shrank dramatically last night as the FBI was granted a warrant in its new e-mail probe.

The Democrat led her Republican rival by just one point - down from 12 points less than a week earlier - in an ABC News/Washington Post poll.

The regular tracker poll conducted on October 28 put her on 46% to Trump's 45%. Five days earlier they were on 50% and 38%.

The shock result came just nine days before the US Presidential election and in the wake of new claims about e-mails associated with Mrs Clinton.

Last night the FBI obtained a warrant to begin reviewing newly-discovered e-mails that may be relevant to the investigation into Mrs Clinton's e-mail server.

FBI investigators want to check emails of long-time Clinton aide Huma Abedin that were found on a device seized during an unrelated sexting investigation of Anthony Weiner, a former New York congressman and Ms Abedin's estranged husband.

But they came under fire for the timing of their probe and declaring it to Congress when any connection to Mrs Clinton was not yet established.

It's emerged FBI chief James B Comey went against the will of America’s Department of Justice when he reopened the probe.

(Image: Reuters)

Senior officials claim his letter to Congress on Friday snubbed long-standing policies against disclosing details of active probes or taking actions that could affect an election – especially so close to the ballot.

A furious Clinton attacked Mr Comey, claiming he was threatening her presidential candidacy, and there have been calls for him to be sacked.

The Democrat frontrunner said at a rally in Daytona Beach, Florida: “It’s pretty strange to put something like that out with such little information right before an election.

“In fact, it’s not just strange, it’s unprecedented, and it is deeply troubling.”

Donald Trump hit back: "Hillary and the Dems loved and praised FBI Director Comey just a few days ago. Original evidence was overwhelming, should not have delayed!"