Sarah Palin abused her power as governor of Alaska, according to an official report released on Friday into the so-called “Troopergate” scandal that has clouded her candidacy as John McCain’s Republican vice-presidential running-mate.

The case involves accusations that Ms Palin fired a senior state commissioner because of his refusal to dismiss her brother-in-law, a state trooper, who was involved in a divorce and child custody battle with her sister.