Key Democrat attacks US supreme court chief justice over ethics scandal

Dick Durbin, chair of Senate judiciary committee, condemns John Roberts for failure to reform court as donor controversy swirls

The chair of the Senate judiciary committee has launched a new attack on the chief justice of the US supreme court, promising a vote on ethics reform legislation after a term beset by scandal over relationships between rightwing justices and wealthy donors and featuring a string of controversial rulings.

The highest court in the land should not have the lowest ethical standards," Democrat Dick Durbin said.