Interim Suspensions

Section 21 of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 provides the Standards Commission with the power to impose an interim suspension on a councillor or member of a devolved public body on receipt of an interim report from the Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC) about an ongoing investigation. Information outlining how the Standards Commission makes any decision under Section 21 and the procedures it will follow in doing so, should any such a report be received from the ESC can be found in our Interim Suspension Policy, which is available to download as a pdf.

The process to be followed by the Standards Commission following receipt of an interim suspension report from the ESC is outlined in our Interim Suspension Flowchart.

The decision to impose an interim suspension is not, and should not be seen as, a finding on the merits of any complaint or the validity of any allegations against a councillor or member of a devolved public body, nor should it be viewed as a disciplinary measure. Information about any decisions, made under Section 21, to impose an interim suspension are listed in the table below. If the interim suspension is revoked or expires, the relevant entry will be removed from the table.

The Standards Commission has produced Suspension Guidance to provide clarity on the extent of the activities in which a councillor can engage while they are subject to a period of full suspension (either on the finding of a breach of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct at a Hearing or as an interim measure while an investigation about their conduct is ongoing).  

Respondent Name

Organisation

Decision on Interim Suspension

Date To-From

Written Decision