DNC restores Bernie Sanders' access to voter data

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The Democratic National Committee restored voter data access to Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign late Friday, hours after the campaign sued the DNC in federal court.

The DNC blocked Sanders', I-Vt, access to the crucial data early Friday after the campaign accessed voter information belonging to rival Hillary Clinton. Sander's campaign acknowledged the breach, but swiftly moved to sue in federal court and launched a media blitz opposing the DNC's decision. Late Friday, the DNC backed down. Sanders' campaign blamed the breach on the DNC's software provider NPG VAN and accused the DNC of sabotaging the campaign.

"We are extremely pleased that the DNC has reversed its outrageous decision to take Sen. Sanders' data," campaign manager Jeff Weaver said. "Clearly, they were very concerned about their prospects in court. Now what we need to restore confidence in the DNC's ability to secure data is an independent audit that encompasses the DNC's record this entire campaign."

The DNC said the campaign will have full access to the records Saturday morning:

"The Sanders campaign has now complied with the DNC's request to provide the information that we have requested of them. Based on this information, we are restoring the Sanders campaign's access to the voter file, but will continue to investigate to ensure that the data that was inappropriately accessed has been deleted and is no longer in possession of the Sanders campaign. The Sanders campaign has agreed to fully cooperate with the continuing DNC investigation of this breach."

Clinton campaign spokesman Brian Fallon said Saturday the campaign is "pleased" about the independent audit, adding "we expect further disciplinary action to be taken as appropriate."