New Governor John Rankin yesterday backed same-sex civil unions in Bermuda.

“Civil unions have been recognised in the UK and in many other jurisdictions around the world,” he said.

“I hope that any differing views on this issue in Bermuda can be resolved so any discrimination in this area can be ended.”

Mr Rankin — in his first major interview since taking up the job two weeks ago — was speaking at his home for the next three or four years, Government House. Mr Rankin. who was British Ambassador to the Himalayan nation of Nepal before taking up the Governor’s post in Bermuda, added: “My first impressions are certainly that I’ve arrived in interesting times, but my impressions are, firstly, how incredibly friendly people are.

“They have been very welcoming. Secondly, I have been impressed by the energy of people here.

“I have met people from all backgrounds here who strike me as very skilled in what they do.”

Mr Rankin, who arrived on the island only a few days after a protest against the proposed public/private redevelopment of the airport turned ugly, with police using pepper spray against a crowd that blocked the entrance to the House of Assembly, said that he hoped that the issue would be resolved.

“I hope that calm will prevail and a constructive way is found to deal with issues on which there are currently disagreements,” he added.

“People have the right to peaceful protest, but it’s also important that Parliament can go about its business.

“I also support the police in upholding the law.”

Scottish-born Mr Rankin, 59, who graduated with a first-class honours degree in Scots law from Glasgow University, one of the oldest seats of learning in the UK, later completed a master’s degree in international law at McGill University in Montreal.

He returned to Scotland and practised as a solicitor before becoming a lecturer in international law and public law at the University of Aberdeen.

He joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1998, originally as a specialist in international law before moving into a diplomatic role.

Mr Rankin has worked at the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, the British Embassy in Dublin, where he worked on aspects of the Northern Ireland peace process, and was Consul-General in Boston, a position once held by his predecessor George Fergusson.

Among other posts, he was also British High Commissioner to the Maldives and director of the Americas in the FCO, which includes the Caribbean region.

“I was posted to Geneva at the UK mission to the UN,” he said. “I was engaged in legal work, but got increasingly engaged in policy work and wanted more opportunities to do that general diplomacy.”

He added: “In terms of Bermuda, the work in Boston was particularly helpful. There are close ties between Boston and Bermuda.”

Mr Rankin said: “This is a job I very much wanted to do. I wanted to come here because I thought it was a new challenge and I thought Bermuda was an exciting place to come to.

“I look forward to working with the Government, legislature, the business community and civil society during my tenure of office here.”

He added: “I take my responsibility very seriously — the responsibility to be the representative of the Queen here and responsibilities under the constitution to be responsible for the safety and security of Bermuda.”

But, he said: “I hope, in addition to that, I will be a listening Governor. I want to meet people from across the community.

“In my first two weeks here, I’ve been pleased to meet young people, members of the Government and Opposition and church leaders.

“I would like to continue that, be a Governor who is engaged and is involved in the local community.”

The father of three grown-up children added that his personal areas of interest included child protection — and praised the courage of Bermuda football coach Andrew Bascome and his brother David in revealing they had been abused as youngsters.

Mr Rankin said: “Young people represent the future of Bermuda. One area I attach particular importance to is a safe environment.

“I welcome the work being done by the parliamentary committee in this area and I look forward to seeing their report.

“I also recognise the bravery of those who have come forward recently to speak about the abuse they have experienced as children.

“I hope effective action can be taken to prevent such actions in the future.”

Mr Rankin added: “It’s important the relevant agencies work together in cutting risks. Hospitals, schools, social workers, the police, working together in a collegiate fashion to ensure children at risk are identified and protected.”

He said tough checks on volunteers in youth work should be introduced as well as “adequate protection against those who are sex offenders and may be at risk of offending again in the future”.

Mr Rankin said he was also interested in supporting the business community, describing it as very important for Bermuda’s future prosperity.

He added that the UK’s decision to leave the European Union — dubbed Brexit — presented opportunities as well as problems.

Mr Rankin said: “Britain will be more active, more outward- focused and more energetic than ever before on the world stage. The same is true for Bermuda — challenges, but also opportunities.

“I am confident that Bermuda, with its skills, its excellent regulatory framework and its determination to continue to meet the highest possible international business standards, will continue to succeed.

“Bermuda will continue to adapt, continue to diversify the economy and continue to look for new opportunities as they arise.”

He added: “It’s also my job as Governor to ensure that colleagues in London and others internationally are fully aware of Bermuda’s position in these areas.”