Former DUP assembly member Nelson McCausland has been appointed to the Education Authority board.
Mr McCausland, who was an MLA for 14 years before losing his seat last year, was yesterday announced as one of two new appointments to the body.
The Department of Education said yesterday that Mr McCausland, a former Culture minister and Social Development minister at Stormont, would be joining the board having declared that during the last five years he has undertaken political activity for the DUP, "holding office both at local branch level and as a MLA".
Mr McCausland, who is from Newtownabbey, is a member of the Ulster Scots Community Network and a member of the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund committee of NI Screen "for which he receives no remuneration".
The appointment comes eight years after Mr McCausland wrote to the Ulster Museum's Board of Trustees urging them to reflect creationist theories of the universe's origins.
Also announced as a new member of the board was Sarah Kelly, former Principal of St Joseph’s Boys School in Derry and Thornhill College, also in Derry.
The department said Mrs Kelly, who is from Derry, brings to the board "experience of managing budgets, staff management and developing policies.
"She is a former board member of Youth Life and is a founding member of Pathways to Work.
"Mrs Kelly has declared that she has not undertaken any political activity during the last five years and is currently serving on the Board of Governors of Galliagh Nursery school".
Mrs Kelly’s appointment commenced on July 2 while Mr McCausland's commenced on July 10.
The annual remuneration for the position is £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence allowances.
