Here, in a statement to the media, he clarifies his role.

I would like to clarify some aspects of my role as Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, as some recent press coverage has shown an imperfect understanding of it.

Under a direction from the parliament, I cannot comment on a specific complaint investigation, even on its existence, but I can give accurate information about the investigation process in general.

I operate entirely independently of the Standards Committee and its clerks.

The clerks are not under my jurisdiction.

Being an independent investigator of complaints is my only role.

After investigation, I report to the Standards Committee or sometimes to the prosecution authorities.

It is the clerks who give advice to members in response to queries about what should be registered.

If I require legal advice to assist in interpretation of the law relevant to a complaint, my advice is independent of that available to the clerks or the committee.

I am not a final arbiter of what should be counted as a register of interest.

That is in the end a matter for the parliament, and in some cases, the courts.

When I investigate a complaint I have, however, to reach a view on whether there may have been a breach of the rules; if such a breach would, if proved, be an offence, I have to stop investigating and report to the Procurator Fiscal.