Donald Trump Organization denies links with large Russian bank connected to Putin

Donald Trump's campaign team has dismissed reports alleging a secret server existed which connected the Trump Organization with a large Russian bank.

An article in Slate suggested that activity on the server indicated a "sustained relationship" between Trump Organization and Alfa Bank - Russia's biggest private commercial bank with links to Vladimir Putin.

Hillary Clinton quickly jumped on the accusation by saying Trump had "serious questions" to answer about his ties to Russia.

On Tuesday, she is expected to attack the billionaire's alleged dealings with the country while on the campaign trail.

Clinton has long accused the Republican candidate of having an inappropriate relationship with Russia and misplaced respect for its leader Putin.

Her move to probe Trump on the issue will be seen as an attempt to divert attention from her own ongoing email scandal.

But on Monday, Trump's campaign team denied the allegations - stating Trump Organization had "no communication or relationship" with Alfa Bank.

The team said the server was not secret, had in fact been set up for marketing purposes, operated by a third party, but not used since 2010.

According to the New York Times, the FBI themselves concluded "there could be an innocuous explanation, like a marketing email or spam, for the computer contacts”.

Alfa Bank have also denied the reports, describing them as "patently false".