Trump jeered at bipartisan Catholic fundraiser after Clinton jibe

The US presidential election campaign stooped to a new low on Thursday night as the normally laid-back Alfred E Smith Catholic fundraiser was filled with jeers as candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton exchanged insults.

Republican Trump received a chorus of boos after criticising Clinton at the dinner in New York City, which is traditionally seen as a light-hearted break from the rough and tumble of the political campaign.

"Hillary believes it's vital to deceive the people by having one public policy and a totally different policy in private," Trump told the audience, who responded negatively.

He went further at the dinner by saying "here she is tonight in public, pretending not to hate Catholics".

Sitting just a few seats away from Trump, Democrat Clinton then aimed a blow of her own, with an allusion to her opponent's controversial comments to Access Hollywood reporter Billy Bush.

"People look at the Statue of Liberty and they see a proud symbol of our history as a nation of immigrants, a beacon of hope for people around the world," she said.

The obvious air of contempt could be felt between the two as Trump initiated a handshake at the end of the speeches in which Clinton was reluctant to acknowledge.

After the final televised debate between the former secretary of state and real estate mogul, Clinton holds a commanding lead over Trump in the majority of national polls.

The election will take place on 8 November and there is now less than three weeks to go until polling day.