Taiwan's justice minister has resigned after her public stance against the death penalty failed to win government support.

A Cabinet announcement that Wang Ching-feng would leave her post highlighted residual backing for capital punishment in Taiwan.

Ms Wang said she would not issue death warrants against any of the 44 inmates on death row in Taiwan.

Her comments caused an uproar, not only among relatives of victims of violent crime, but also among members of her ruling Nationalist Party, including President Ma Ying-jeou's office.

Taiwan has not executed anyone since December 2005.

Taiwanese laws stipulate a range of major crimes are punishable by death, including murder and kidnapping.