US Democratic party chair announces resignation on eve of convention

Democratic party chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz's announcement of her resignation follows massive commotion over hacked emails that suggested the Democratic National Committee (DNC) favoured Clinton during the primary, despite pledging neutrality.

The leaked emails prompted primary runner-up Sanders to call for Wasserman Schultz's immediate resignation. 

In a statement, Wasserman Schultz said she will step down at the end of the four-day convention. “I plan to formally open and close the convention, as well as address delegates, but will not make a lengthy address,” she said.

The chairwoman has attracted a lot of criticism throughout the presidential campaign, with Sanders repeatedly accusing the DNC of backing Clinton. 

According to the Independent, Sanders said the 19,000 emails published by the website Wikileaks appeared to confirm his suspicions. In one leaked email, a DNC official is said to have wondered whether Sanders' religious beliefs could be used against him, questioning whether the candidate may be an atheist. 

“Nobody has apologised. But this does not come as a surprise to me or my supporters. There is no doubt that the DNC was on Secretary Clinton's campaign from day one,” Sanders on Sunday told NBC.