Marie Anderson

Mrs Anderson, a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast who qualified as a solicitor in 1985, will step down from her current post as Public Services Ombudsman on her appointment.

She currently holds two other statutory offices, Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards and Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Ombudsman, and has previously held a number of other high-profile public service positions.

Prior to this, she worked in private practice for several years in civil litigation and then as a legal assistant and senior legal assistant at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Ms Bradley announced her intention to recommend Mrs Anderson for the role in the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive.

She said: “My absolute priority is to see the restoration of the Executive at the earliest opportunity. In the interim my responsibility is to ensure good governance and stable public services in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland.

“In the absence of an Executive, it is vital that we ensure stability and continuity for this important public appointment. My intention is to recommend the appointment of Marie Anderson to the role of Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.”