British government sacks Pitcairn Island commissioner

The Pitcairn Island commissioner based in Auckland has been sacked after a row with the British Government over policies applied to the island and its population of less than 50 people.

Leon Salt was a full-time civil servant employed by the British Government. He had responsibility for the day to day administration of the island including issues such as shipping.

It is understood he had a difference of opinion over a court case against 14 Pitcairn Island men who are facing sex charges.

The charges include rape and indecent assault. Some of the men live on the island and others live in New Zealand.

The Pitcairn Islands governor, Matthew Forbes, who is also the first secretary at the British High Commission in Wellington, said there had been problems with Mr Salt's contract.

"There has been a breakdown of trust and confidence between the Governor's office and Leon over a number of years," Mr Forbes said.

He said he was prevented from saying more because of a confidentiality agreement.

Pitcairn is administered by the British Government from Auckland. Many islanders are descended from Fletcher Christian's band of mutineers, who took refuge on the island in 1790 after taking over the British warship HMS Bounty.

- NZPA