The rift between Sir Edmund Hillary's widow and his children grew at the weekend, with claims his son Peter has been cut out of a trust the great mountaineer set up.
Sir Edmund's daughter, Sarah Hillary, said her brother Peter had not been appointed to the Himalayan Trust, set up by her father to help the Sherpa people, because of personality conflicts.
"There's been a bit of a takeover of the trust by a group that probably don't want Peter there," she said.
Sarah Hillary was appointed to the trust on Friday but she said Peter would have been a better choice.
The comments come as Sarah and Peter battle Sir Edmund's widow, June, Lady Hillary, over her plans to auction in Switzerland next Saturday his collection of Rolex watches, including one given to him after he climbed Mt Everest in 1953 which is now valued at $25,000.
Sarah and Peter have threatened legal action if the auction house does not withdraw them from sale.
Mike Gill, a long-time Himalayan Trust member and a close friend of Sir Edmund, said he was expelled on Thursday in a letter from Lady Hillary.
He said the trust had split into two groups one behind Lady Hillary, the other looking for more activity in the trust.
Mr Gill had suggested Peter Hillary be appointed to the trust.
Trust council member David Hayman, who is Lady Hillary's son-in-law, said Friday's meeting was "very successful".
Sarah Hillary's appointment was a "very popular outcome".
Lady Hillary said yesterday the proceeds from the sale of the watches were earmarked for charity work supporting education and health services in Nepal.
