Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Official Report 866KB pdf

Standards Commission for Scotland (Appointment of Member)

The next item of business is consideration of motion S4M-13384, in the name of Liam McArthur, on the appointment of a member of the Standards Commission for Scotland. I call on Liam McArthur to speak to and move the motion on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. Mr McArthur, you may wish to say a few words.

Thank you, Presiding Officer. I will extemporise where I can.

I speak to the motion in my name as a member of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body appointment panel and I invite colleagues across the chamber to agree to the appointment of Professor Kevin Dunion as a member of the Standards Commission for Scotland. You will be delighted to hear, Presiding Officer, that under the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc (Scotland) Act 2000, members of the commission are appointed by the SPCB with the agreement of the Parliament. The role of the Standards Commission is to encourage high ethical standards in public life, and it does that by promoting and enforcing the codes of conduct for councillors and members of devolved public bodies.

The SPCB sat as a selection panel on 13 May this year, and the members of the panel were John Pentland, Liz Smith and me. From a very strong field of candidates, we are seeking the agreement of the Parliament this afternoon to appoint Professor Dunion as a member of the Standards Commission.

On behalf of the SPCB, I thank Louise Rose, the independent assessor who oversaw our deliberations, and who has confirmed by way of a validation certificate that the appointment process conformed to good practice and that the recommendation of Professor Dunion is made on merit after a fair, open and transparent process.

Turning to the candidate, we believe that Professor Dunion will bring to the post high levels of integrity and discretion as well as a strong commitment to encouraging high ethical standards in public life. I am sure that the Parliament will want to join me in wishing Professor Dunion every success in his new role. Presiding Officer, I have pleasure in moving the motion in my name, albeit slightly early.

I move,

That the Parliament agrees, under section 8 of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000, to appoint Kevin Dunion as a Member of the Standards Commission for Scotland.

A truly valiant effort, Mr McArthur.

I remind members that following decision time tonight there is a members’ business debate on the Gaelic language. Translation will be provided, and members should have in front of them headphones that will assist greatly. Angus MacDonald will speak to the motion on the 10th anniversary of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005. I understand that a number of members will make at least part of their speech in Gaelic, so we certainly look forward to that.