26.—(1) The hearing shall be held in private.
(2) No person shall be entitled to attend the hearing unless that person is–
(a)a member of the tribunal;
(b)the clerk to the tribunal;
(c)a party;
(d)a representative of a party;
(e)any person who is authorised by the chairman of the tribunal to attend the hearing under or by virtue of rule 23 or 25 or paragraph (3) of this rule;
(f)any person who is required to attend by virtue of rule 24(2)(b);
(g)any person who is authorised by the tribunal to attend the hearing under paragraph (4) of this rule; or
(h)a member of the Council on Tribunals or of the Scottish Committee of that Council.
(3) Where the Scottish Ministers or any person responsible for the security of any building in which a hearing takes place consider it desirable that any person or persons should attend the hearing so as to preserve the security of that building or to ensure the safety of any person attending that hearing, he or she may apply at any time to the chairman of the tribunal for that purpose and the chairman of the tribunal may grant or refuse such an application and shall inform each party of his decision and, where the application is refused, of the reasons for that decision.
(4) Notwithstanding rule 23 or 25 or paragraph (3), the tribunal may at any time authorise any person to attend a hearing for such purpose and on such terms and conditions as it considers to be appropriate.