EDWIN Poots was coming under growing pressure last night to explain the appointment of loyalist spokesman David Campbell to the board of a public body.
Mr Campbell, a dairy farmer from Co Antrim who styles himself the chairman of the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC), will join the board of the Belfast-based Agrifood and Biosciences Institute (Afbi) at the beginning of next month.
In applying for the role, he is expected under public appointment rules to declare involvement in recent political activity.
However, despite making several broadcast media appearances and issuing numerous statements criticising the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Irish government, the spokesman for the LCC – which represents the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando – appears to have not declared any political activity.
Mr Campbell, who is former chairman of the Ulster Unionist Party, yesterday issued another statement on behalf of the LCC, attacking remarks by former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Mr Poots' department insists that "all successful candidates provided a declaration of political activity and declared any potential conflicts of interest".
Whereas Thursday's press release announcing the new Afbi board members included a declaration of political activity by fellow appointee and DUP councillor Tim McClelland, there was no similar reference to Mr Campbell.
It remains unclear whether the LCC frontman's employment conditions for the £412-a-day role allow him to continue to speak on the loyalist umbrella group's behalf.
The role of Commissioner for Public Appointments, which regulates ministers' quango appointments, has been vacant since May following the sudden departure of Judena Leslie.
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone said he would be raising the matter at the next meeting of Stormont's agriculture and environment committee.
The Mid-Ulster representative described the appointment as "baffling" and said he was "incredulous" that Mr Campbell did not declare any political activity.
Alliance MLA and fellow committee member John Blair said Mr Poots needed to explain the appointment.
"It is disappointing to see the minister appoint someone who has gone out of their way to inflame tensions with their rhetoric in their role as a political voice for some, and has spoken in such capacity in recent days," he said.
"Afbi is a highly respected scientific and research institute, and I hope the minister will be able to detail his reasoning behind this move at the earliest opportunity."
Mr Campbell, who has declined to be interviewed by The Irish News on the basis that he "can't speak without authorisation", has yet to comment.
