Hillary Clinton received an unexpected boost to her campaign with just hours left before the US presidential election as the FBI announced on Sunday night that it had found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing in her use of a private email server.

James Comey, the FBI director, took the nation by surprise when he released a second letter in which he said the FBI had not changed its conclusions from its first report on Mrs Clinton in July.

The announcement, made as Americans prepared to go to the polls on Tuesday, lifted a shadow left hanging over the Democrat candidate. It followed a surge of support from Hispanic voters in the latest polls.

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The announcement will raise further questions about the role of the FBI in the campaign, its impact on the democratic process and the timing of its statements.

The agency had already been plunged into controversy when the inquiry into the latest tranche of emails was announced during the course of the campaign.

Donald Trump, her Republican rival, immediately reacted, stating that Mrs Clinton was being protected by a “rigged” system. Mrs Clinton’s campaign said last night they were “glad” the issue had been “resolved”.

Comey

Mr Comey said in his new letter: “Since my letter, the FBI investigative team has been working around the clock to process and review a large volume of emails from a device obtained in connection with an unrelated criminal investigation.

“During that process we reviewed all of the communications that were to or from Hillary Clinton while she was secretary of state. Based on our review, we have not changed our conclusions that we expressed in July with respect to Secretary Clinton. I am very grateful to the professionals at the FBI for doing an extraordinary amount of high-quality work in a short period of time.”

Mr Comey had announced nine days ago that new emails were being investigated. They had been found on the laptop of Anthony Weiner, the disgraced estranged husband of Huma Abedin, a top Clinton aide. He is under a separate investigation for allegedly sexting an underage girl.

The Clinton campaign immediately responded, welcoming the move.

“We are glad to see that he has found, as we were confident that he would, that he’s confirmed the conclusions that he reached in July,” said Jennifer Palmieri, the campaign’s communications manager. “And we’re glad that this matter is resolved.”

Despite the re-emergence of the email scandal, Mrs Clinton maintained a five-point lead in the most recent opinion polls, and last night’s announcement is expected to help her even further.

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Kellyanne Conway, Mr Trump’s campaign manager, said Mr Comey had “mishandled the investigation from the beginning” and questioned the idea that the FBI could have carried out a thorough investigation in such a short time, but told MSNBC that the announcement would have no effect on the race.

Speaking to a rally in Minnesota, Mr Trump said: “She’s the most corrupt person ever to seek the presidency of the US. Clinton will be under investigation for a long time for the many crimes against her [name]. It’s a rigged system and she’s protected.”

The FBI was already under huge pressure from Democrats to explain why it took the unprecedented decision to make public so close to an election that it was investigating a new batch of emails related to Mrs Clinton.

Theresa May said on Sunday night that ­elections should be “calm and ­measured” and focused on issues as she spoke about the tone of the US presidential election.

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Asked if she would repeat criticism of Mr Trump, voiced when she was home secretary, Mrs May said: “I take a simple view about the way in which I like to see campaigns being conducted; I like them to be conducted in a calm and measured way with proper consideration of the issues.”

Meanwhile, it emerged that Britain is seeking reassurances from Mr Trump over Russia after he dismissed intelligence about a series of devastating cyber attacks.

Government sources told The Daily Telegraph: “His admiration for Putin as a strong character is worrying and people will need to work on him to explain the facts of life. His outright denial of these concerns makes people worry about his judgment.

“The worst you can say is people have doubts and fears because he’s an unknown quantity.”

05:02AM Dollar jumps following FBI decision

Dollar jumps following FBI decision

The dollar jumped on Monday as news that Hillary Clinton would not face criminal charges related to her use of a private email server gave the US presidential contender an eleventh hour boost before the November 8 election.

Markets have tended to see Mrs Clinton as the status quo candidate, and news favouring her bid often boosts risk appetite, whereas the stance taken by her Republican rival Donald Trump on foreign policy, trade and immigration issues is seen posing potential risks for global growth.

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03:19AM Trump: 'Hillary Clinton is guilty. She knows it, The FBI knows it. The people know it.'

Trump: 'Hillary Clinton is guilty. She knows it, The FBI knows it. The people know it.'

Tim Stanley reports:

In Moon township, west Pennsylvania, Trump lashed out at Hillary Clinton - calling her "the most corrupt person ever to run for president of the United States." On the email investigation, he said: "Hillary Clinton is guilty. The FBI knows it. She knows it. The people know it... We are to deliver justice at the ballot box." He accused the media of double standards and said the political system was "rigged." Trump joked that if he'd been caught being fed debate questions in advance, as he says Clinton was, "they'd reinstitute the electric chair." Speaking to an audience of several thousand in an industrial area, he also promised to bring back steel and coal jobs. He said that refugee programmes will be suspended, which received a loud cheer", and that Clinton created Isis by creating "a vacuum" of power in the Middle East. "We are fighting for every forgotten man, woman and child in this nation... Dream big. We are just two days away from the change you've been waiting for your entire life."

01:17AM Trump campaign manager: 'Maybe the foundation is still under investigation'

Trump campaign manager: 'Maybe the foundation is still under investigation'

Kellyanne Conway was asked repeatedly whether it was irresponsible for Donald Trump to speculate that the FBI had found the "motherload" on Hillary Clinton and that she would face indictment.

"Everybody speculated for nine days," she said.

Ms Conway also said it was inappropriate for the Clinton campaign to attack James Comey- but excused her candidate for doing the same:

"People feel like the FBI is part of the rigged system."

Asked whether she had given up on Mrs Clinton ending up in jail she said, "maybe the Clinton Foundation is still under investigation."

12:42AM The Trump response

The Trump response

Donald Trump is speaking in Michigan, and lashing out against the "rigged system" that he claims allowed Hillary Clinton to avoid charges over her emails.

Mr Trump told supporters that the election is being "taken" from him.

12:37AM Democrats asking questions

Democrats asking questions

More from Ruth Sherlock, on the reaction from the other side of the aisle:

Democrats in congress warned last night that there would be "many questions" into the FBI's handling of the Hillary Clinton email scandal, as pressure mounted on its director to explain his actions.

Whilst Mr Comey's announcement brought profound relief to Mrs Clinton's campaign, it did little to stem the outrage of Democratic politicians who said Mr Comey's initial intervention was illegitimately influencing the election, and accused the FBI of meddling in partisan politics.

Tim Kaine credit: AP

"It's impossible to fully undo the damage of the last nine days," a senior Democrat said, speaking on condition of anonymity, in the hours after Mr Comey cleared Mrs Clinton's name.

Tim Kaine, Mrs Clinton's vice presidential running mate over the weekend attacked the FBI as being a "leaky sieve" that was "actively working" to hand Donald Trump the presidency.

"This just absolutely staggering," he said, calling it a "massive blow" to the "integrity" of the agency.

11:37PM Republican fury at Comey

Republican fury at Comey

Ruth Sherlock reports:

Republicans in congress reacted with fury to the FBI director's announcement clearing Hillary Clinton of criminal wrongdoing two days before the election.

James Comey caused a second shock to the presidential race on Sunday, stating the agency had not changed its conclusions on Mrs Clinton's use of a private email whilst she was secretary of state.

"None of this changes the fact that the FBI continues to investigate the Clinton Foundation for corruption involving her tenure as secretary of state," said Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee.

"Hillary Clinton should never be president."

Paul Ryan, the Republican house speaker said that, despite Mr Comey's findings, Mrs Clinton's handling of classified information on a private email server when she was secretary of state has "put our nations secrets at risk".

And Newt Gingrich, a top Republican ally of Donald Trump last night accused him of caving to political pressure and questioned how he could come to the conclusion so quickly.

In his initial letter to congress, Mr Comey had said it would be "several weeks" before the FBI could determine whether the newly discovered emails from Mrs Clinton's time as secretary of state indicated a breach of the law.

“Comey must be under enormous political pressure to cave like this and announce something he can't possibly know,” Mr Gingrich said.

11:25PM How we got here

How we got here

The winding road that led us to Mr Comey's announcement today

Congress probes Hillary Clinton over her role in the Benghazi attack that killed a US ambassador During that investigation, it is determined that Mrs Clinton used a private email server to conduct government business The FBI launches an investigation into whether Mrs Clinton knowingly put America's secrets at risk through her email practices James Comey announces in July that "no reasonable prosecutor" would pursue criminal charges against Mrs Clinton Mr Comey sends a letter to members of Congress on October 28 stating that new "pertinent" emails had been found, and that Mrs Clinton is once again under investigation It emerges that the emails were taken from the laptop of Anthony Weiner, the disgraced former Congressman and estranged husband to Huma Abedin, a top Clinton aide Donald Trump calls the news "bigger than Watergate", Democrats accuse Mr Comey of inappropriately influencing the election Mr Comey announces that nothing was found in the new emails that changed his decision from July

11:17PM Markets tick upward upon Comey announcement

Markets tick upward upon Comey announcement

US futures are up one per cent in Asian trading following the announcement from Mr Comey that the investigation has once again been closed.

Mr Comey's letter 9 days ago announcing that the investigation was once again active led stocks to plunge and consumers to opt for safe assets like gold.

The voters are deeply divided as far as who the next president should be, but it would seem the markets are not.

11:06PM Trump: 'Clinton corrupt, no matter what FBI says'

Trump: 'Clinton corrupt, no matter what FBI says'

Steven Swinford reports from Minnesota:

Donald Trump has described Hillary Clinton as the “most corrupt person ever to seek the Presidency” less than half an hour after the FBI cleared her.

The Republican candidate refused to change tack despite the announcement by the head of the FBI, saying that “it’s a rigged system and she’s protected”.

Mr Trump had put the FBI’s investigation at the heart of his campaign and enjoyed a surge in the polls after it was formally re-opened last month.

The rally in Minneapolis was part of a dash through six states in the final 48 hours of the election campaign, Mr Trump was defiant.

Speaking to 4,500 people in an airport hanger, he said: "She's the most corrupt person ever to seek the Presidency of the US. Clinton will be under investigation for a long time for the many crimes against her. It's a rigged system and she's protected."

09:57PM Hillary Clinton 'will not speak about being cleared'

Hillary Clinton 'will not speak about being cleared'

Mrs Clinton has just wrapped up a rally in Cleveland, Ohio and has not mentioned what for her is great news.

Her campaign said she does not intend to speak about it at all in the last few days of the campaign.

They believe any mention of Mr Comey's announcement would lead to her getting into a back on forth with Mr Trump.

09:52PM Donald Trump puts a brave face on the bombshell that could sink his chances

Donald Trump puts a brave face on the bombshell that could sink his chances

09:48PM FBI Director is a 'pretzel of contradictions'

FBI Director is a 'pretzel of contradictions'

This is perhaps the most colourful description of increasingly controversial FBI Director James Comey. IT comes from Newt Gingrich, the Trump supporting former Republican Speaker of the House:

09:44PM Trump and Clinton spokespeople argue it out on Twitter

Trump and Clinton spokespeople argue it out on Twitter

Kellyanne Conway, Mr Trump's campaign manager, responds to Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon on Twitter.

She says if the Clinton camp was so confident of the outcome why did they attack Mr Comey over the last week.

Still, the Trump camp is going to have to accept they've lost this one. Mrs Clinton is definitely not going to be locked up.

09:37PM Paul Ryan says Hillary Clinton still "put the nation's secrets at risk"

Paul Ryan says Hillary Clinton still "put the nation's secrets at risk"

Paul Ryan, the Republican House Speaker, said: "Regardless of this decision the undisputed finding of the FBI’s investigation is that Secretary Clinton put our nation’s secrets at risk and in doing so compromised our national security. She simply believes she’s above the law and always plays by her own rules.

"Fortunately, the American people have the opportunity to ensure Secretary Clinton never gets her hands on classified information again. Let’s bring the Clinton era to an end by voting for Donald Trump on Tuesday.”

09:34PM What about early voters?

What about early voters?

Once again, a late development in this election leaves early voters scratching their heads.

More than 40 million people have already voted.

Those who did so over the last week did so with the knowledge that the FBI was investigating a new batch of potentially explosive Clinton-related emails. Now it's not.

The question is did it affect anyone's vote?

09:18PM Clinton camp reacts

Clinton camp reacts

Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon says "We told you so..."

09:13PM Trump claims Clinton is still "corrupt"

Trump claims Clinton is still "corrupt"

This from The Telegraph's Steven Swinford in Minnesota:

Less than half an hour after Mr Comey's announcement, Mr Trump showed no signs of changing his approach.

Speaking to a rally in Minnesota, he said: "She's the most corrupt person ever to seek the Presidency of the US. Clinton will be under investigation for a long time for the many crimes against her. It's a rigged system and she's protected."

09:12PM Trump camp reacts

Trump camp reacts

Kellyanne Conway, Mr Trump's campaign manager, said Mr Comey had "mishandled the investigation from the beginning."

She questioned the idea that the FBI could have done a thorough investigation in such a short period of time, but told MSNBC that the announcement would have no effect on the race.

07:21PM What's happened to Donald Trump on Twitter

What's happened to Donald Trump on Twitter

Someone sensible on his campaign team has clearly taken Mr Trump's phone off him.

Over the last few days his tweets have been restricted to thanking places where he's held rallies, detailing upcoming ones, and linking to favourable news articles.

He hasn't insulted anyone. Nor tweeted at 3am.

Here's an example of the new Twitter Trump:

07:14PM Clinton goes to church

Clinton goes to church

Aiming to rise above the sordid quagmire of the campaign Mrs Clinton preached at a black church in Philadelphia.

She told the congregation Tuesday's election was a moment to choose "hopes over fear, unity over division and love over hate".

She promised to continue the policies of President Barack Obama and accused the Trump of trying to destroy Barack Obama's legacy.

"I personally believe we have come too far to turn back now," she said. "If we come together with the common vision, common faith, we will find common ground."

05:26PM Clinton 'not safe' say pollsters

Clinton 'not safe' say pollsters

Renowned pollster Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight.com gives Mrs Clinton a 64.2 per cent chance of victory.

He said: "The electoral college map is less solid for Clinton than it was for Obama four years ago.

"You'd rather be in her shoes than Donald Trump's but it's not a terribly safe position."

In the final NB News poll Mrs Clinton led 44 - 40.

Mr Silver said: "If you only have 44 percent of the vote that means you're vulnerable if most of the undecideds break in a certain way.

"In that sense both candidates still need a good turnout on election day and still have their work cut out for them."

05:18PM Trump on final cross-country odyssey

Trump on final cross-country odyssey

For Mr Trump it's a marathon day on the campaign trail with stops in five states, including Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Michigan, all states that have long proven unfriendly territory for Republican presidential candidates.

The Trump campaign said there was a late surge of momentum among his loyal, white working-class voters and they would deliver an upset on Tuesday.

"Our secret weapon is the American people who are saying enough is enough," vice presidential candidate Mike Pence said.