Thanks Willie.
My dealer has located one of the new chrome latch strikers on my request and info gathered from MINI2. I am hoping that fitting that and adjusting or replacing the lock will fix it. Their last suggestion was to move the tailgate itslef which would require some parts inside the hinge area to be re-painted. I'd prefer not to go that route.
Also getting first service done at 8800 miles and new bits fitted to the steering column to stop it clicking.