News In Focus
2 April 2009
Parliament appoints new watchdog
The Scottish Parliament has appointed a new standards watchdog.
Stuart Allan, a solicitor, takes over from Dr Jim Dyer who is stepping down as Standards Commissioner for Scotland after six years.
Mr Allan, who qualified as a solicitor in 1973, has spent his career in the public service. He will investigate alleged breaches of the MSPs' code of conduct and has legal powers to require witnesses to give evidence.
He is currently the Chief Investigating Officer to the Standards Commission for Scotland, where he investigates and reports on cases where councillors or members of devolved public bodies may have contravened the relevant codes of conduct.
Subject to Parliament’s approval, Mr Allan will carry out both roles on a part-time basis. The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner works between five and 10 days a month.