The SDLP representative involved in appointing Northern Ireland's chief constable feels hurt and isolated over his party's claims that it ensured Sir Hugh Orde got the job, it was claimed today.
Joe Byrne, who was part of the selection panel, knew nothing about the advertisement that has caused a political storm and led an Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) chief to take legal action, sources said.
As lawyers acting for the deputy director of the ARA Alan McQuillan issued a defamation writ against the SDLP and its leader Mark Durkan at the High Court in Belfast, Mr Byrne's personal distress emerged.
The former college lecturer has kept silent on the bitter row over the party's claims that it made sure no-one with an RUC background was chosen as chief constable from a shortlist nearly five years ago.
But yesterday's tense, private meeting of the Policing Board which appointed Sir Hugh ahead of Mr McQuillan and Chris Albiston - both former senior RUC officers - was told that Mr Byrne only learned of the controversial advertisement after a phone call from the authority's chairman, Sir Desmond Rea.
"Joe felt totally isolated on this issue," a source on the Board said. "He felt his whole personal integrity has been called into question."
Mr Byrne, a former MLA for West Tyrone now serving on the Board as an independent, was the only SDLP representative on the seven-member panel which selected Sir Hugh in May 2002.
He refused to comment today, saying: "I'm reluctant to talk about the meeting or anything relating to that matter until everything is cleared up."
But others who attended yesterday insisted Mr Byrne's role was never under scrutiny. "Everyone made it clear that he is held in the highest regard. He's a complete professional," one representative stressed.
Mr McQuillan, now ARA's top man in Belfast, decided to sue after no apology was issued for what he believed was an attack on his character.