HILLARY Clinton received a major boost in her bid to become US President last night as the FBI announced it has found no evidence of criminality in a new batch of her emails.

In a letter to members of Congress, FBI director James Comey said that the agency had finished its review and found nothing to change its position.

In July, he said Mrs Clinton had been careless, but not criminal in handling sensitive material on her private email server while secretary of state.

Read more: As the world holds it breath, the most brutal presidential battle in history nears its end with all to play for

The issue flared up again with the discovery of new “pertinent” emails that were reportedly found on the laptop of Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of one of the Democratic presidential candidate’s closest advisers.

But in yesterday’s letter to Congress, Mr Comey wrote: “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.”

Mr Comey’s letter has been welcomed by the Clinton campaign team.

Communications director Jennifer Palmieri said: “We’re glad this matter has been resolved.”

Read more: As the world holds it breath, the most brutal presidential battle in history nears its end with all to play for

The letter is seen as a blow to Republican nominee Donald Trump’s hopes of winning this week’s election.

He was rushed off stage by his security team at a rally in Reno, Nevada, on Saturday night after what turned out to be a false gun scare, before returning to continue his speech a short time later.

Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon has said she “fervently hopes” Mrs Clinton will become president.

Read more: As the world holds it breath, the most brutal presidential battle in history nears its end with all to play for

The First Minister dispensed with the tradition that political leaders do not comment on elections in other countries to endorse the Democrats’ candidate ahead of tomorrow’s vote.

Ms Sturgeon said Mrs Clinton would be “a great president”.