Commentary on Sections Part 1.The Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland: the Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland and the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland Section 4: Independence of Commissioners
39.Section 4 makes provision for the Commissioners, in the exercise of their respective functions: the Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland (under the Ethical Standards Act and the Parliamentary Standards Act) or the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland (under the Public Appointments Act) are not subject to the direction or control of: any member of Parliament; any member of the Scottish Executive; or the Parliamentary corporation. For example, the Parliamentary corporation could not interfere in relation to investigations carried out by the Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland nor the Scottish Executive direct the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland in relation to the preparation of any codes which Ministers are expected to adhere to.