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We have significantly reduced the time it takes to let complainers know whether their complaints are admissible for investigation, and we are continuing to improve on these waiting times. You can find average timescales for each stage of the complaint handling process for all complaints on this page of our website.

About the Ethical Standards Commissioner

The Commissioner and their team work within their remit to encourage fairness, good conduct and transparency in public life in Scotland. We investigate complaints about the behaviour of MSPs, local authority councillors, and board members of public bodies and about lobbyists, and look into how people are appointed to the boards of public bodies in Scotland.

Promoting high ethical standards in public life

The Ethical Standards Commissioner is an independent regulator appointed by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, approved by MSPs and underpinned by legislation. The position is currently held by Ian Bruce, who was first appointed as the Acting Commissioner in April 2021 and is now appointed as the Ethical Standards Commissioner from March 2023. 

Our powers Meet the Team

Current vacancies

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We have no vacancies at the moment.

Current tenders

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Investigating complaints

We investigate complaints about the behaviour of MSPs, local authority councillors, and board members of public bodies and about lobbyists.

Making a complaintHow we investigate

Regulating public appointments

We regulate and monitor how people are appointed to the boards of public bodies in Scotland, and promote diversity.
 

Public appointmentsGood practice case studies