Complaints about the standards of a member of the Accounts Commission

If you wish to make a complaint about the standards of a member of the Accounts Commission, or just want to know more about the kinds of issues that can be considered, please visit the Commissioner for Ethical Standards' (CES) website at www.ethicalstandards.org.uk.

The Commissioner for Ethical Standards is an independent officeholder who is dedicated to the provisions of high ethical standards in public life in Scotland.

The Commissioner can investigate written complaints about councillors, members of devolved public bodies, and members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) who are alleged to have contravened their code of conduct.

What the Commissioner for Ethical Standards can investigate

These are some examples of misconduct that might be seen as a breach of the relevant codes of conduct:

• Failure to register certain financial or non-financial interests.
• Failure to declare financial or non-financial interests at business meetings.
• Financial misconduct (for example matters relating to allowances).
• Inappropriate acceptance of gifts or hospitality.
• Misuse of public body facilities.
• Disrespect towards employees.
• Disrespect towards other members.
• Breach of confidentiality.
• Misconduct relating to lobbying.

What they cannot investigate

These are some examples of complaints which the CES can’t investigate because they are outside their remit:

• Complaints about a council or public body as an organisation.
• Complaints about corporate failure to meet service standards.
• Complaints about misconduct by an employee of a council or public body.
• Complaints involving private conduct (that is when a councillor is not acting as a councillor).
• Complaints about a councillor before they were elected or member before they were appointed.
• Complaints which are not about the type of behaviour covered by the relevant codes.