The Democratic Unionists have ignored public opinion by appointing Ian Paisley Junior to the Northern Ireland Policing Board, a rival claimed today.
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey expressed incredulity at the decision to appoint the North Antrim MLA to the board following his resignation last week from the Stormont Executive.
Sir Reg Empey
Mr Paisley, who served on the Policing Board from 2001 to 2007, was forced to stand down as a junior minister last Tuesday in the power-sharing Executive over his links to a developer.
However Sir Reg said his reappointment to the board so soon after his resignation from government was inexplicable.
"The DUP decision to appoint Ian Paisley Jnr to the Policing Board illustrates the arrogant disregard of the DUP for public opinion," the East Belfast Assembly member said.
"It was common knowledge that Ian Paisley Jnr's colleagues forced him out of office last week on threat of being put out if he did not go voluntarily.
"How can it be, therefore, in a matter of a few days, the reasons for his departure can so easily be cast aside and he can be nominated for an even more sensitive post than that which he has just left?
"I think most people will find this move inexplicable given the events surrounding Mr Paisley in recent months."
The DUP Assembly member will replace Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson on the Policing Board, who took over from him as a junior minister.
PA