Jessica Butcher MBE, David Goodhart and Su-Mei Thompson have been appointed to the board for a period of four years.

In addition, the former president of the Royal College of Surgeons, Lord Ribeiro, has been appointed to the board for one year, to help ensure that the EHRC has medical and public health expertise, strengthening its work on equalities and human rights during the coronavirus pandemic.

The announcement follows the recent appointment of Baroness Kishwer Falkner as the new chair of the EHRC, subject to the formal scrutiny process.

Ms Truss said: “The appointments of Jessica Butcher, David Goodhart, Su-Mei Thompson and Lord Ribeiro are a positive step forward for equality in this country.

“Their combined expertise and experience will help the EHRC carry out its important work of upholding and advancing equality and human rights at this vital time for the United Kingdom.“

The new commissioners will have an important role to play in assisting the EHRC fulfil its role as the country’s expert body on equality and human rights issues.