Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)

Complaining about conduct in Parliament

Use this form to complain if you’re unhappy with an MSP’s behaviour in the Parliament (this can be in the Chamber or in a Committee meeting).

MSPs must carry out their parliamentary duties in an appropriate way. 

Section 7.9 and 7.10 of the Code of Conduct has rules on conduct in the Chamber and committees, including that MSPs:

• must act in an orderly, courteous and respectful manner and respect the authority of the Presiding Officer
• should act in an orderly manner
• in committees and sub-committees, members must respect the authority of the convener

If you think an MSP has not followed these rules, you can make a complaint using the form.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it may take longer to respond to letters. Please use the form if you can.
 

If you would prefer to send us a letter, the address details are:

For complaints about MSPs in the Debating Chamber: 

The Presiding Officer

The Scottish Parliament

Edinburgh

EH99 1SP

For complaints about MSPs in a committee, please use the form.

Complaining about lobbying, financial interests or general conduct

Use this form if:

• you know or suspect that the rules around lobbying have been broken
• an MSP hasn’t registered or declared a financial interest (like shares in a company)
• you believe there has been a breach of MSPs’ general conduct 

You can complain about:

• issues with MSPs’ registration or declaration of financial interests (sections 1-3 of the Code of Conduct)
• paid advocacy (section 4 of the Code of Conduct)
• lobbying and access to MSPs (section 5 of the Code of Conduct)

You can also make a complaint to the Commissioner about an MSP’s general conduct in relation to some of the areas set out in Section 7 of the Code of Conduct:

• treatment of other people
• use of parliamentary staff
• the confidentiality rules
• MSPs’ responsibilities to their own staff

The Scottish Parliament does not deal with these types of complaints. They’re handled by The Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.

Use of Parliament resources or allowances

Use this form to complain if you think an MSP may have misused a Parliament resource (like stationery or meeting rooms) or allowance (like office running costs or travel expenses).This could be for party political purposes or some other kind of misuse.

MSPs get reimbursed for some of their expenses through the Members' Expenses Scheme. This includes some travel costs for meetings, staff salaries and things like stationery.

MSPs should follow the principles of the scheme. This includes:

• only asking for expenses that are related to parliamentary duties
• making sure the expenses represent value for money
• keeping receipts or other documentation for expenses
• not making a claim for any party political activities
• not making a claim for anything that results in personal gain for the MSP or any other person

If you think an MSP has not followed these rules, you can make a complaint using the form.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it may take longer to respond to letters.

If you would prefer to send us a letter, the address is:

SPCB Secretariat

Room Q2.03

The Scottish Parliament

Edinburgh

EH99 1SP

Complaining about something an MSP has done in their role as Government minister

Some MSPs are also Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers in the Scottish Government. These are members of the government, with specific areas of responsibility. This is a separate role to being an MSP, with separate duties.

The Scottish Government handles complaints about these roles.

Contact them only if the complaint is about an MSP’s work as a member of the Scottish Government. For more information, visit the Scottish Government website.