Senior Crown counsel Lloyd Rayney has resigned. He will leave the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in June.

Mr. Rayney began working at the DPP office last April, but said he was leaving the Island for family reasons ? although there are rumours of infighting in the office.

?I have enjoyed Bermuda and the Bermudian people, but I have to go,? said Mr. Rayney.

?I will return to where I was before.?

Before arriving in Bermuda, Mr. Rayney, 42, had more than 20 years experience under his belt and had worked with the Western Australian DPP office for ten years as deputy director.

Last year Mr. Rayney said he had been second in command and had a staff of 120, of which 60 were lawyers.

He had also worked in a variety of roles as a prosecutor for two decades.

When he arrived his aim was to work closely with Police as charges against offenders were drawn up.

One year on, he said: ?I have fostered a good relationship with the Bermuda Police Service. It has been a positive experience.?

Mr. Rayney referred to himself as a career prosecutor and said he had fought for the Crown in more than 300 Superior Court jury trials in Australia, Tasmania and the Christmas Islands.

He was optimistic about making the transition from Western Australian law to legislation on the Island, and was looking forward to getting into cases.

Yesterday Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Kulandra Ratneser, who was also a colleague of Mr. Rayney?s in Western Australia, said the decision saddened him.

?I?m sad to see him go, but he has explained his reasons and I can?t stand in the way,? said Mr. Ratneser.