(1)For the purposes of the law of defamation, any statement made in pursuance of the purposes of this Act
[F1(a)by the Commission or any of its employees, the Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland or any of the employees of the Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland shall be absolutely privileged;
(b)to that Commissioner or any of the employees of the Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland shall have qualified privilege.]
(2)In subsection (1) above—
“statement” has the same meaning as in the Defamation Act 1996 (c.31);
“employee” shall be construed in accordance with paragraphs 7 and 8 of schedule 1 to this Act.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 27(1) substituted (1.4.2011) by Scottish Parliamentary Commissions and Commissioners etc. Act 2010 (asp 11), ss. 29(2), 31(5), sch. 2 para. 3 (with s. 31(6), sch. 7)