A controversial Bill to ban ex-prisoners convicted of serious offences from becoming ministerial advisors at Stormont has been passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
A majority of MLAs voted for the contentious proposal to become law following a lengthy and often fractious debate at Parliament Buildings in Belfast.
The SDLP, which had found itself holding the balance of power inside the chamber, ultimately resisted vociferous calls from Sinn Féin and some victims of the Troubles to trigger an Assembly mechanism that would have stymied the legislative change.
The bill was brought forward by the Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister, after former IRA prisoner Mary McArdle was appointed an advisor to the Sinn Féin Culture Minister at Stormont.
Ms McArdle had been convicted for her role in the murder of judge's daughter Mary Travers in Belfast in 1984.
Her appointment was strongly criticised by Wicklow-based Ann Travers.
Ann Travers is a sister of the murdered woman who has campaigned in support of the new law.
