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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
David Smith in Washington

‘Betrayal’: chief justice orders inquiry into leak of draft abortion ruling

John Roberts, second left, with Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, and the retiring Stephen Breyer. ‘Chief Justice Roberts is probably beside himself,’ one expert said.
John Roberts, second left, with Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, and the retiring Stephen Breyer. ‘Chief Justice Roberts is probably beside himself,’ one expert said. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock

John Roberts, the US chief justice, has announced an investigation into a leak showing that the supreme court provisionally voted to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade case that legalised abortion nationwide.

Publication of the draft opinion by the Politico website on Monday night sparked demonstrations outside America’s highest court, condemnation from Joe Biden and fears that the judiciary has suffered profound damage to its reputation for independence.

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