Salinger seeks compensation for sacking

Sacked scientist Jim Salinger goes to the Employment Relations Authority today to seek compensation against his former employer the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa).

Dr Salinger, who claims he was unjustifiably dismissed in April, said yesterday he was no longer seeking reinstatement as a principal climate scientist.

"I've moved on from there. How can I put it? I think it is like a bad marriage, and I'll leave it at that," he told the New Zealand Herald.

The sacking of Dr Salinger, who had been the public face of Niwa for many years, sparked wide public outcry, particularly among the science community.

He was dismissed for allegedly ignoring a new Niwa policy against speaking publicly without prior approval.

The ERA hearing in Auckland is set down for week.