Antonin Scalia, of the US Supreme court, has died

One of the longest serving and most provocative members of the US Supreme court has died, aged 79.

Justice Antonin Scalia - who was appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1986 - was known for his strident conservative views.

Leading Republicans want the new president - who will take office in January - to select his replacement.

But President Barack Obama has confirmed that HE will choose Scalia's successor: “I plan to fulfil my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time.

“There will be plenty of time for me to do so and for the Senate to fulfil its responsibility, to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote.”