Republican candidate Moore defeated in Alabama in major blow to Trump

Donald Trump was dealt a major blow on Tuesday after Republican candidate Roy Moore was defeated by Democrat rival Doug Jones in a senate election in the GOP stronghold of Alabama.

Trump had backed Moore, who had been in the lead over Jones until a series of damaging sexual assault allegations adversely affected his campaign.

Jones's victory in the special election leaves the Republicans with the narrowest of majorities in the upper chamber of the US Congress, with 51 members to the Democrats's 49.

Trump has faced difficulties with the passing of major legislation on healthcare and tax reform, and the further slimming of the GOP Senate majority could well accentuate those problems.

It is the first time in over ten years that a Democrat has won a state office in Alabama, situated in the deep south of the US.

Moore has still not officially conceded the race, but results have arrived from all precincts with a winning margin of 49.9% to 48.4%.

"I have always believed that the people of Alabama had more in common than divided us. We have shown not just around the state of Alabama, but we have shown the country the way that we can be unified," Jones said.

The US President congratulated Jones on his victory, but added that “the deck was stacked against him”.

"Congratulations to Doug Jones on a hard fought victory. The write-in votes played a very big factor, but a win is a win. The people of Alabama are great, and the Republicans will have another shot at this seat in a very short period of time. It never ends!" Trump tweeted.