Iowa caucuses: Cruz stuns Trump as Clinton takes narrow win
Video report by ITV News Washington Correspondent Robert Moore
Ted Cruz caused a huge upset by beating Donald Trump in Iowa's Republican caucuses, while Hillary Clinton claimed a narrow victory over rival Bernie Sanders.
Both results surprised many analysts - with Trump the favourite going into the contest and Clinton expected to have had an easier ride to victory.
The caucuses are the first votes in the race for the US Presidential nominations, and are seen as a bellwether for candidates' chances in the upcoming campaign.
Robert Moore: Unpredictable night offers sign of things to come
Cruz hails victory as win for 'courageous conservatives'
Texas senator Cruz won 28% of the vote, finishing ahead of Trump - who has led the polls for weeks - and Marco Rubio.
He told ITV News Washington Correspondent Robert Moore his win was a "a tremendous victory for the grass roots", and criticised the media, Washington establishment and lobbyists during his speech after the result.
"Iowa has sent notice that the republican nominee and the next president of the United States will not be chosen by the media, will not be chosen by the Washington establishment," the 45-year-old told cheering supporters.
The result was reward for Cruz's relentless campaigning in the state, where he was sought to win the Conservative and evangelical vote.
Trump 'honoured' by second place
Trump congratulated Ted Cruz on his victory and said he was "honoured" to finish second.
But the billionaire - who has dominated the polls and the headlines for weeks - said he still expected to win the Republican nomination for the November 8 election.
He vowed to "easily beat Hillary or Bernie or whoever the hell they throw up there".
But this result - along with a strong showing from Rubio - could halt Trump's once seemingly unstoppable momentum, which has alarmed the Republican establishment.
Clinton narrowly beat Sanders
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders appeared to be deadlocked throughout an increasingly fascinating battle to be the Democratic choice for the White House, before Clinton's camp declared victory at the last moment.
The Iowa Democratic Party later confirmed Clinton had won, claiming 700.59 state delegate equivalents to Sanders' 696.82.
Earlier, Clinton admitted she was "breathing a big sigh of relief" but stopped short of claiming victory as she spoke to supporters.
Speaking before the official result was announced, Mr Sanders, 74, said "it looks like we are in a virtual tie".
He also said he was overwhelmed by his surge in support which has taken commentators - who believed Clinton was assured of victory - by surprise.
"We had no money, we had no name recognition, and we were taking on the most powerful political organisation in America," the Vermont senator told his jubilant supporters.
Candidates bow out
Martin O'Malley, who failed to keep up with Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, withdrew from the race to be the Democratic candidate after a dismal showing in Iowa.
Mike Huckabee tweeted that he was also going to suspend his campaign to be the Republican nominee.
Ben Carson was also forced to deny rumours he was about to withdraw after it emerged that he was planning on returning to Florida after the vote instead of travelling to New Hampshire for next week's contest.
Analysis - Is Rubio the real winner of Iowa?
ITV News Washington Correspondent Robert Moore writes:
Read more of Robert's analysis of the Iowa caucuses.