By TIM WATKIN
Former Pitcairn Island commissioner Leon Salt has filed legal action against the British Government for his sudden dismissal from the post two weeks ago.
In a personal grievance claim, released in part yesterday, Mr Salt's lawyer accused Pitcairn Governor Richard Fell of acting "precipitously and in a high-handed
manner" and seeks re-instatement and compensation from the British Government.
"The action taken by the governor was both unlawful and unjustified," Mr Salt said in an accompanying statement.
The 51-year-old told the Herald he had been fired "basically because I put the interests of Pitcairn before the interests of Britain", but refused further comment saying he did not want to prejudice his claim.
Deputy Governor Matthew Forbes said last week that Mr Salt was fired due to "a breakdown of trust and confidence over two to three years".
But the dismissal has strained tense relations between islanders and British authorities and at a public meeting on Pitcairn last week islanders voted 15-7 that they no longer had trust or confidence in the British High Commission in Wellington.
The meeting also expressed, 16-6, unhappiness with how the British handled Mr Salt's dismissal.
As commissioner, Mr Salt was a British civil servant responsible for getting supplies to the island, halfway between New Zealand and Peru, and co-ordinating cruise ship visits. He was government adviser there from 1984-86.
In the three-year period indicated by Mr Forbes, Pitcairn has been scarred by allegations of sexual abuse and under-age sex. Charges, including 31 of rape, were laid this year against 13 Pitcairn men, but Pitcairn public defender Paul Dacre has challenged the legality of the case and a hearing will be held in Auckland in November.
It is understood that Mr Salt opposed the British authorities' handling of the investigation and in his statement he said his dismissal was "clearly ... a political decision".
The British High Commission said it would reply to Mr Salt's lawyer, but refused further comment.
