An assembly government spokeswoman said: "The independent assessor at the interview confirmed that he was satisfied that the process had been carried out properly.

Ms Huws is the appointee to the �31,000 two-day-a-week post

"We are happy, of course, to co-operate fully with the Commissioner for Public Appointments while they consider the matters raised by Owen John Thomas.

"The new chair has been appointed in accordance with the code of conduct for public appointments and the appointment still stands.

"She has a tremendous job to do and we are very pleased that we were able to appoint someone with such a broad range of skills and experience. "

Mr Thomas said it was "imperative" that the post was deferred from 1 September to allow the investigation to be completed "without undue haste".

He said: "A public appointment should not be allowed to become a fait accompli where proper procedures are not fulfilled."

Liberal Democrat assembly leader Mike German said an inquiry would re-establish the credibility of the Welsh Language Board.

"These accusations cast a cloud of controversy over a very important post in Welsh life.