Prominent SDLP politician Patricia Lewsley has been appointed the North's Commissioner for Children and Young People to replace the late Nigel Williams.
In taking up the £75,000 per annum post Ms Lewsley must quit politics, stand down as SDLP Assembly member for Lagan Valley and as a party councillor for Lisburn.
Ms Lewsley, a single mother of five children, was chosen for the position from 46 candidates from Northern Ireland, the Republic, Britain and Australia.
She is involved in a number of transitional Assembly groups dealing with children, young people and ethnic minorities. On the day the last Assembly collapsed in 2002 she was due to introduce a Private Members Bill to strengthen child protection in Northern Ireland.
"This is about doing what I do currently in a different way," she said yesterday. "I am passionate about the rights and best interests of children and always have been.
"My past record speaks for itself. As Commissioner for Children and Young People, I will be able to focus all of my energies on that work and I intend to approach the job with the vitality and enthusiasm the post needs and deserves."
