14 Feb 2014

Kiribati labour minister resigns

2:52 pm on 14 February 2014

The Kiribati minister of labour, Boutu Bateriki, has resigned - a week after he was in court on charges of beating his former wife.

The move comes after calls by two MPs for him to step down.

Mr Bateriki and his former wife were in court but their case was adjourned until February the 18th.

One MP, Patrick Tatireta, says government has supported the family bill to protect children and women from abusive men and the behaviour of the minister undermines the confidence of people in the government.