We are not persuaded that this Bill as it currently stands is the most appropriate vehicle to provide such scrutiny

Trisha Godman, committee convener

It would also lead to a politicisation of the appointments process, slow down key appointments and blur the lines of ministerial accountability, the committee decided.

In addition, the Bill would make potential quango appointees more vulnerable to "discrimination" than would otherwise be the case, the report continued.

Committee convener Trish Godman said: "In light of evidence received at stage one, the committee is agreed that greater scrutiny of public appointments is required.

Alex Neil's Bill did not receive committee support

"However, we are not persuaded that this Bill as it currently stands is the most appropriate vehicle to provide such scrutiny."

Mr Neil had said his Bill would deal with public concerns about cronyism.

He claimed that Labour has packed public bodies with its own supporters.

The MSP said: "Only this week we had another example of the endemic culture of cronyism at the heart of this executive when it was announced that 6 out of 12 assessors to oversee public appointments are Labour activists.

'Discredited system'

"Unfortunately however, it appears that the majority of the committee members have been dragooned by the executive and the comments in this report do not accurately reflect the proposals contained in my Bill."

Mr Neil went on: "This decision only confirms that the executive are determined to undermine the committee system at any and every opportunity and are content to continue with their discredited system of appointments."

The recommendation does not mean an automatic end to the Bill, but it is rare for the full parliament not to follow a committee's advice when it comes to the final vote.