Bill of Rights pledge by new commission chief

A former Stormont Assembly member vowed today to make a Bill of Rights her top priority as the new head of the North's Human Rights Commission.

Professor Monica McWilliams, a founder member of the cross community Women’s Coalition, was appointed by the British government as the chief commissioner on the human rights body.

She will succeed Professor Brice Dickson and take over a body which has come under fire from academics, unionists and nationalist politicians.

In her first interview since accepting the role, the former Assembly member for South Belfast said she wanted to work with unionists and nationalist politicians.

“I am delighted to be the new commissioner,” she said.

“I have had a long-standing commitment to human rights in Northern Ireland and am looking forward to taking a Bill of Rights forward.

“The main job of work here is going to be completing that work on the Bill of Rights.

“This commission should not go out of office without having presented the advice on the Bill of Rights to the Secretary of State.

“Obviously, the last time round there was political disagreement on what should be in the Bill of Rights and this time we can move the issue forward.”