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Hillary Clinton’s lead over Donald Trump has been cut to just one point amid an intensifying row over her use of a private email server.

The Democratic nominee appeared to be cruising in the race for the White House until the FBI announced a fresh inquiry into her use of emails.

The bureau’s intervention, which comes less than two weeks before the US election, has sparked a dramatic turnaround in the polls which have significantly narrowed in favour of Mr Trump.

On Sunday, an ABC News/Washington Post poll put Mrs Clinton just a single point ahead with just over a week to go before voters head to the ballot box.

FBI director James Comey revealed on Friday it was investigating newly found messages which came to light during a separate probe into a top Clinton aide’s husband.

Huma Abedin and her estranged husband former congressman Anthony Weiner both had devices seized into allegations he sent sexually explicit messages to a 15-year-old girl.

The FBI said some emails found may be “pertinent” to a previous inquiry into Mrs Clinton’s use of a private email server when she was secretary of state.

The probe had closed in July with no charges brought.

The FBI’s decision to reopen an investigation into Mrs Clinton’s use of emails has provoked anger from senior Democrats who accused bosses of potentially breaking the law.

Harry Reid, the Democratic leader in the US Senate, accused FBI director James Comey of violating the Hatch Act - a law which bars officials from using their position to influence an election.

He said: “Through your partisan actions, you may have broken the law.”

It also emerged the US Department of Justice urged the FBI not to inform Congress of the new inquiry so close to the election as Mrs Clinton described Mr Comey's actions as "unprecedented" and "deeply troubling".

The investigation was quickly seized by Donald Trump who said the controversy surrounding Mrs Clinton’s emails was the biggest political scandal since Watergate.

He also accused the Department of Justice of protecting Mrs Clinton in a “rigged system”.

He said: "The Department of Justice is trying their hardest to protect the criminal activity of Hillary Clinton.”