TOPEKA ? Just moments after being sworn into office, Attorney General Paul Morrison today said he will fire the special prosecutor appointed by his predecessor Phill Kline in the abortion investigation.

Kline appointed attorney Don McKinney to lead efforts to charge George Tiller, a Wichita doctor, with performing illegal late term abortions. Tiller has denied any wrongdoing.

“There is no doubt about the fact that we’re going to get rid of Mr. McKinney,” Morrison said. He said the actual firing would probably happen later in the week.

In response to questions from reporters, Morrison said, “I’m going to revoke his powers as special prosecutor because I do not view him as being even remotely independent or remotely objective to view that.”

Morrison also said he was concerned about the security of the investigation records, which include health records of girls and women who had abortions.

“I do have concerns about how many copies have been made of that material and who’s got possession of them,” he said.

McKinney of Wichita could not be immediately reached for comment.

Kline and McKinney are ardent opponents of abortion.

Kline last month filed charges against Tiller alleging he performed 15 illegal late-term abortions in 2003 on patients aged 10 to 22 and failed to properly report the details of the procedures to state health officials. But the misdemeanor charges filed in a Sedgwick County district court were dismissed over a jurisdiction issue.

Kline then appointed McKinney as a special prosecutor in the case, saying he didn’t think Morrison would pursue the investigation.

But Morrison vowed to review the case that Kline has put together.

“If there are illegal abortions taking place in this state in violation of state law, I will enforce them. I’m very used to doing that and comfortable in doing that,” Morrison said.