Samuel Alito steps aside in a major climate case amid scrutiny over oil stock holdings

Decision from conservative justice comes before court hears case on whether fossil-fuel firms deceived US public

Supreme court justice Samuel Alito recused himself on Monday from a major climate-change case after facing calls to step aside due to stock holdings in oil companies.

A letter posted in the case did not specify a reason, but the conservative justice has previously recused himself from other cases involving companies where he holds stock.