Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has been accused of acting improperly in the appointment of the first Victims' Commissioner for Northern Ireland, it emerged today.
Brenda Downes, whose husband was killed by a plastic bullet in the 1980s, made the allegation in a legal challenge against the selection of Bertha McDougall to the key post.
The Court of Appeal in Belfast yesterday granted leave for a judicial review of the decision, after it was claimed Mr Hain only consulted the DUP before confirming the appointment.
Nationalist politicians condemned the move, which was revealed just days after a High Court ruling overturned his appointment of two Orangemen to the Parades Commission.
Sinn Fein's Philip McGuigan said: "It appears that Peter Hain and the NIO (Northern Ireland Office) decided upon a strategy of making various appointments to important public bodies without paying any attention to the established practices.
"This has placed a number of people in very difficult situations which are not of their own making."
The North Antrim MLA said the decision of the court yesterday to grant leave to judicially review the appointment in October last year was not an indictment on Ms McDougall.
But Mr McGuigan added: "This entire debacle was created by Mr Hain and his department and it is they who must face up to their responsibilities to restore public confidence in his ability to carry out his function fairly and transparently."
SDLP Victims' Spokeswoman Patricia Lewsley said Ms McDougall was doing good work for victims, but cautioned that her efforts could be jeopardised by the actions of the NIO.
The Lagan Valley MLA said: "As with the Parades Commission, they consulted with one side only about the Victims' Commissioner appointment.
"The DUP admitted that it was consulted, but no other party was. The DUP even claimed to have "approved" the appointment.
"Clearly, the Government's priority wasn't equality, fair procedures or the best interests of victims, but satisfying the DUP.