The Scottish parliament is set to create a controversial human rights commission, which will further challenge the authority of Westminster after the introduction of devolution.

Jim Wallace, the Scottish parliament's justice minister, announced the creation of a Human Rights Commission for Scotland on Monday.

The commission will act as an independent body which will provide advice to the Scottish parliament and investigate human rights issues in relation to public policy.

Wallace said: "We want to see human rights become an integral part of our culture, part of our daily lives. I believe a commission will promote a more complete understanding of the European Convention on Human Rights."

The minister said that the commission underlined the executive's commitment to human rights.

"The creation of this commission reflects the arrangements that many other countries already have in place. Scotland will now be taking its place alongside these other countries in demonstrating publicly its commitment to human rights."

According to Roseanna Cunningham, the SNP's shadow minister for Justice, the announcement is too little, too late.

"Once again the executive have finally got round to backing a proposal that we have been calling for," she said.

"The SNP wants a commission which would fulfil a wide range of functions. It should be seen not only as a provider of advice to the executive, parliament and other public bodies, but as fostering a wider awareness of human right principles among the public."