As it happened: Republicans debate in South Carolina

Summary

The debate comes just two weeks before the first votes are cast in the Republican primary race
Ted Cruz, who was born in Canada, faced questions about whether he is eligible for the presidency
Donald Trump defended his plan to ban Muslims from entering the US
Invoking 9/11, Trump took Cruz to task for dismissively referring to "New York values"
Marco Rubio and Chris Christie forcefully and repeatedly attacked President Barack Obama

Live Reporting

Tim Swift and Ashley Gold

Target: Trump?published at 00:41
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Behind the scenes in Charlestonpublished at 00:38
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Huckabee: Easier to buy groceries than gunspublished at 23:45
Image source, AP
Mike Huckabee said there is no such thing as a "gun-show loophole", alluding to President Obama's executive actions announced last week which aim to decrease illegal gun selling. "I've been to more gun shows than Obama and I've bought more weapons at them," Mr Huckabee said. "I've purchased guns and I can assure you it is much more difficult to buy a firearm than to get ingredients in a supermarket."
Carly Fiorina jabs Hillary Clintonpublished at 23:30
Carly Fiorina said Democratic front runner Hillary Clinton is out of touch with technology". "No, Mrs. Clinton, you cannot wipe a server with a towel," Ms Fiorina said, referring to Ms Clinton's use of private email while serving as Secretary of State.
A lively debatepublished at 23:20
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Welcomepublished at 23:00
Image source, Getty Images
Welcome to BBC's live coverage of the first Republican presidential debate of 2016 at the North Charleston Coliseum in South Carolina. The under card debate is under way with former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, businesswoman Carly Fiorina and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Stay tuned with us throughout the night for live updates.