Former Northern Territory chief justice Brian Ross Martin has resigned from his role and will no longer head the royal commission into the territory’s youth detention.

His announcement follows accusations of a conflict of interest over his daughter’s employment as an adviser to the former NT attorney-general.

Mr Martin was appointed as Royal Commissioner by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday, after the inquiry was announced on Tuesday.

He told reporters in Canberra this morning his resignation was required to ensure “full confidence” in the royal commission among Aboriginal Australians following “disingenuous and ill-informed” criticisms about his involvement.

“It has become apparent that, rightly or wrongly, in this role I would not have the full confidence of sections of the Indigenous community which has a vital interest in this inquiry,” he said.

“As a consequence, the effectiveness of the Commission is likely to be compromised from the outset.

“I am not prepared to proceed in the face of that risk. This Royal Commission is far too important to undertake that risk and, in the public interest, personal considerations must take second place.”

– TiVi Tuan-san