Cabinet Secretary Mr. Leo Mills yesterday sought to clarify his position on the Warren Jones controversy.

He stressed he had no power to ensure Mr. Jones was named principal at Northlands School.

And he attempted to distance himself from claims by the Association of School Principals that an "injustice'' had been done to Mr. Jones.

On Monday, Mr. Mills had told campaigners who presented him a protest letter: "I don't want you to think it either practical or possible for me to right the injustice.'' His remark was interpreted by a Royal Gazette reporter as backing for the protesters.

But later Mr. Mills explained: "My reference to an `injustice' was a direct reference to that term used in the letter handed to me by the Association of School Principals yesterday at the Cabinet Office.'' The reference was not an expression of his own views, he said.

The Northlands controversy erupted after it was announced Mrs. Carol Bassett would become head of the school -- not Mr. Jones, the acting principal.

Her appointment by the Public Service Commission was made in anticipation of the proposed conversion of Northlands to Dellwood Middle School in 1997.

Teachers, students and former pupils at Northlands are enraged the Education Ministry did not forward Mr. Jones' application to the Public Service Commission.