Widespread criticism has followed the British government's choice of four new appointees to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
The Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, announced the names of the four new commissioners, who will take up their positions with immediate effect. They are Dr Christopher McGimpsey, an Ulster Unionist councillor and brother of the UUP Arts Minister, Mr Michael McGimpsey; Lady Christine Eames, wife of Church of Ireland Primate Dr Robin Eames; Mr Kevin McLaughlin and Mr Patrick Yu.
Dr Reid said he was "delighted to be appointing four such able candidates". He also confirmed the reappointment of eight of the existing commissioners, including chairman Prof Brice Dickson.
However, the former UUP MP, Lord Maginnis, who had been interviewed for a commissioner's post, said he was considering legal action after being turned down. The appointments were a clear indication of the Northern Secretary's pro-nationalist bias, he claimed.
The SDLP chairman, Mr Alex Attwood, said his party was "unhappy" at the appointments.
"The nomination of an elected politician is something that requires particular consideration and explanation from the Northern Ireland Office."
Sinn FΘin's human rights spokesman, Mr Pat McNamee, described the appointment of Dr McGimpsey as an "insult to many in our community" saying it had "clearly been politically motivated".
Rejecting the criticism, Dr McGimpsey said Sinn FΘin appeared to feel it was "impossible for a unionist or Protestant to be interested in human rights".