About Us
The Standards Commission is an independent body whose purpose is to encourage high ethical standards in public life through the promotion and enforcement of Codes of Conduct for councillors and those appointed to the boards of devolved public bodies.
News and Blog
Standards Update March 2021
31st March 2021
Our latest Standards Update is now available.
Pause before you post!
26th March 2021
We are all aware of the huge advantages and pitfalls of social media and its impact in terms of political debate. On the one hand, candidates and politicians can use social media to engage and interact with the public directly. They can keep the public informed about work and policy issues and can even combat misinformation. It gives them a chance to demonstrate they are interested, that they care and even that they have a sense of humour. Essentially, social media allows politicians t...
BSL video on Councillors' Code of Conduct and Guidance - Advice for Members of the Public
25th March 2021
We have created a British Sign Language video outlining and explaining the main provisions in the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. The video covers:⦁ The key principles⦁ General conduct including respect, confidentiality and gifts and hospitality⦁ R...
Direction on the Eligibility of Complaints
1st March 2021
The Standards Commission has issued a Direction to the Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC) requiring her to carry out an investigation into every complaint about a councillor and member of a devolved public body she receives, unless: the conduct referred to in the complaint would not, even if it could be established to have occurred, constitute a contravention of the councillors', or as the case may be, the members' code; the councillor or a member of a devolved public...
Appeal Decision
11th February 2021
At a hearing on 4 February 2021, a Sheriff Principal considered an appeal lodged by a Respondent against a decision made by a Panel of the Standards Commission, at a Hearing on 10 September 2020, to find him in breach of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct and to disqualify him. The Sheriff Principal did not consider, or make any finding, on the Panel’s decisions on breach and sanction, but determined that it should not have proceeded with the Hearing in the absence of the Respondent...
"You're on Mute!"
11th February 2021
The recent viral video of a lawyer in Texas who got stuck with a cat filter on Zoom, during a virtual court case, shows online meetings and hearings don't always go to plan! Since last March, the majority of our Hearings and training events have been held online and - while we don't want to tempt fate - these have run remarkably smoothly. We were lucky in that the first Hearing we’d scheduled after the full lockdown restrictions started, was not until July, so we had plent...
Business Manager & Caseworker Recruitment
4th February 2021
We are currently recruiting a part-time Business Manager and a part-time Caseworker. More information about both roles can be found on the Vacancies page of the website.
Standards Update December 2020
15th December 2020
Our latest Standards Update is now available.
Committee on Standards in Public Life Public (CSPL) Consultation: Standards Matter 2
2nd December 2020
The CSPL is carrying out a landscape review of the institutions, processes and structures in place to support high standards of conduct. The review’s terms of reference can be found here and include: reviewing how well ethical standards are upheld in public life in the UK as a whole and the strength of...
Recruitment for a new Convener
26th November 2020
As Professor Dunion’s fixed term appointment is due to end next year, the Scottish Parliamentary corporation is seeking to appoint, with the agreement of the Scottish Parliament, a new Convener for the Standards Commission. The Convener’s role is to promote and encourage high ethical standards in public life and ensure the Standards Commission operates efficiently and effectively. The advert can be found at
