Sarah Palin faces police probe over claims she tried to have ex- brother-in-law fired from force

The Alaska governor is accused of abusing her power by trying to get her sister's ex-husband fired from his job in the force after he allegedly threatened her father.

Today the police officers union officially requested a probe into possible wrongdoing by the mother of five.

Under fire: John McCain's running mate 'tried to axe state trooper Mike Wooten'

They also allege either John McCain’s running mate or her staff may have have improperly disclosed information from state trooper Mike Wooten’s personnel records.

The complaint warns ‘criminal penalties may apply.’

John Cyr, director of the union that filed the complaint, told NBC News: ’It seems obvious to us somebody has improperly accessed his personnel file.’

However there has been some good news for Sarah Palin today.

A new poll commissioned in the wake of her barnstorming speech on Wednesday night has put her ahead in terms of popularity of both her running mate McCain and her rival Obama.

The Rasmussen poll shows that most Americans believe that Sarah Palin's acceptance speech has boosted McCain’s chances to win in November.

Mrs Palin, 44, is accused of getting rid of her public safety commissioner Walt Monegan for failing to axe Trooper Wooten.

To add to her headaches over the 'Troopergate' scandal she has also been accused of an affair with her husband's business partner.

The allegation yesterday emerged within hours of a barnstorming speech to the Republican convention by the vice-presidential nominee.

Sarah Palin with husband Todd: The Alaska governor is accused of abusing her power by trying to get her sister's ex-husband fired

In front of cheering crowds in St Paul, Minnesota she had hugged husband Todd on stage after announcing: 'He's still my guy.’

But, according to the National Enquirer supermarket tabloid, Mrs Palin cheated on the 44-year-old fisherman in an 'affair that nearly ruined her career'.

It claimed the relationship was being widely discussed in Alaska, and that Mr Palin had severed all connections with the friend who allegedly cuckolded him.

The magazine went on to allege that Mrs Palin had desperately tried to cover up the fact that her 17-year-old daughter Bristol is five months pregnant, confirming it only when she knew the media were about to break the news.

Mrs Palin, 44, was the victim of a slur earlier in the week when it was claimed that her youngest child, four-month-old Trig, who has Down's Syndrome, was actually Bristol's son.

The latest claim, of adultery, was condemned as 'a vicious lie' by the McCain camp.

'The smearing of the Palin family must end,' said Republican chief strategist Steve Schmidt.