The Democrats are calling for an ethics inquiry amid a storm of controversy surrounding US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

It has emerged that for more than 20 years he's been taking luxury holidays paid for by Republican mega donor, Harlan Crow.

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Tim Dower that details are continuing to emerge.

He says that for instance, Crow gave half a million to a group started by Thomas' wife, which then paid her 190-thousand New Zealand dollars.

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