The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) today appointed Malcolm Duncan, MA LLB, JP as an adviser to the Standards Committee.

Mr Duncan is a former Chief Executive of East Lothian District Council, and a Justice of the Peace.

The adviser has been appointed to support the Standards Committee with its continuing inquiry into allegations reported in the Observer newspaper and specifically into matters disclosed by material placed before the Committee. The adviser will support the committee in considering whether the enquiry discloses evidence of breaches of any code covering the conduct of MSPs, in reporting on the findings, and in considering and reporting on the standards that ought to be applied to such conduct.

Day-to-day, the adviser will work, in conjunction with the Clerk to the Standards Committee, under the direction of the Head of the Chamber Office in providing advice to the Committee.

The principal duties of the adviser will be to assist the Standards Committee and its clerks:

These duties will involve handling of confidential and sensitive material. The adviser will be required to maintain absolute confidentiality about the matters under consideration or which come before him.

The adviser will be provided with office accommodation and facilities within the Chamber Office of the Scottish Parliament for the duration of the engagement. He will be able to draw on administrative and clerical support from within the Standards team.

Mr Duncan’s appointment begins with immediate effect, and will last for the duration of the inquiry.

BACKGROUND NOTES

1. Rule 12.7 of the Standing Orders provides for the appointment of advisers to Committees. It states:

"A committee may, with the approval of the Parliamentary Bureau, issue directions to the Parliamentary corporation in connection with the appointment by the Parliamentary corporation of any person to inquire into and advise the committee or any sub-committee upon any competent matter. Different advisers may be appointed for different competent matters."

2. The Standards Committee agreed at their meeting on Tuesday 5 October to seek the approval of the Parliamentary Bureau to issue a direction to the Parliamentary Corporation in connection with the appointment of an adviser to assist the Committee with its forthcoming inquiry.
3. The Parliamentary Bureau approved the Committee’s request on 5 October. The Committee’s directions were issued to the SPCB on Wednesday 6 October.
4. The contract has been awarded in accordance with SPCB tendering procedures, with a view to appointing an individual with appropriate skills at a reasonable price.
5. Mr Duncan’s daily rate is commercially confidential. However while much depends on the length of the period of the inquiry and the necessary input from the adviser it is estimated that the total fee will be in the region of £3,000.