Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

Wednesday 22nd February 2012 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr Owen Paterson)]

Following an open recruitment process based on merit, I have appointed Michael Wardlow as the new Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. The new Chief Commissioner will take up his post on 1 March 2012.

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland is a key part of the architecture of equal rights protections in Northern Ireland, and an important feature of the Belfast agreement. The commission is now facing new challenges, not least in fulfilling its remit in a testing economic environment.

I am confident that this new appointment will ensure that the commission will continue to make a significant contribution to the advancement and protection of equal rights in Northern Ireland in the coming months and years.