Source: The Telegraph
The FBI is re-opening the investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email system as secretary of state, sending her campaign into panic mode just eleven days before the presidential election.
Donald Trump called the stunning announcement "bigger than Watergate", and Mrs Clinton appeared blindsided by the news, declining to mention it during a rally in Iowa.
James Comey, the FBI director, wrote to members of Congress informing them that new emails had been found that were "pertinent to the investigation" into Mrs Clinton.
Hillary Clinton with her aide, Huma Abedin
He said the emails were recovered during an unrelated probe, and would be reviewed to determine whether they contained classified information or could shed new light on the case.
The emails were found during an investigation into illicit text messages between Anthony Weiner, the former congressman, and a 15-year-old girl, according to the New York Times. Huma Abedin, Mr Weiner's wife, is one of Mrs Clinton's closest aides.
Mr Comey had closed the investigation into Mrs Clinton's email practices in July after determining there was insufficient evidence that she had knowingly put America's secrets at risk by using an unsecured server to conduct government business. Mr Comey said at the time that Mrs Clinton had been "extremely careless" but that no criminal charges were warranted.
Anthony Weiner
Mr Trump spoke in New Hampshire just minutes after the announcement, and his supporters roared and broke into chants of "lock her up" as he relayed the news.
He applauded the FBI for having the "courage" to re-open the investigation, and said he hoped the agency would correct the "horrible mistake" it had made in recommending that Mrs Clinton not be indicted.
"Hillary Clinton's corruption is on a scale we have never seen before. We must not let her take her criminal scheme into the Oval Office," the Republican nominee said.
Mrs Clinton and her inner circle were all on board a plane and without Internet access when Mr Comey's letter emerged. Reporters on board said her staff was unaware of the news before landing in Iowa for a rally.
The Democratic nominee remained on the plane for 25 minutes after landing, apparently huddling with staff to determine how to respond. She did not address the revelations after taking the stage.
Source: The Telegraph