Mr Murphy said commissioner would play a "pivotal role"

The commissioner will be responsible for setting up a new forum for victims of the Troubles.

The position was announced by Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy in a written statement to the Commons.

Mr Murphy said it was not the right time at the moment for a broadly based consultation on the possibility of a truth commission.

"I believe this is necessary both to ensure a real focus on the needs of victims and survivors of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and to ensure that their voices continue to be heard and respected," he said.

'Paled in comparison'

The commissioner would play a "pivotal role" in promoting the interests of those who had suffered and in setting up a victims' and survivors' forum, said the secretary of state.

He added: "We need to consider carefully and collectively how best to deal sensitively with the needs and expectations of all sections of the community in dealing with the legacy of the past."

DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said the appointment had been a key demand of his party during political negotiations.

"Funding for victims' groups has paled in comparison to that received by prisoners' groups. The treatment of innocent victims as second class citizens must end immediately," he said.

"We will also be making it clear to government that it must not equate innocent victims with the perpetrators of violence and that any definition of victim must exclude those engaged in acts of terrorism."