(1)If, at any stage in the course of conducting an investigation under section 59, an ethical standards officer forms the opinion that the matters which are the subject of the investigation relate partly to a matter which could be the subject of an investigation under Part III of the [1974 c. 7.] Local Government Act 1974, he may consult the appropriate Local Commissioner about the investigation and, if he considers it necessary, inform any person who made the allegation which gave rise to the investigation of the steps necessary to initiate a complaint under Part III of that Act.
(2)If, at any stage in the course of conducting an investigation under Part III of that Act, a Local Commissioner forms the opinion that the complaint relates partly to a matter which could be the subject of an investigation under section 59 of this Act, he may consult the Standards Board for England about the investigation and, if he considers it necessary, inform the person initiating the complaint of the steps necessary to make an allegation under section 58.
(3)Consultation under subsection (1) or (2) may relate to any matter concerned with the investigation, including—
(a)the conduct of the investigation, and
(b)the form, content and publication of any report relating to the investigation.
(4)Nothing in section 32(2) of the [1974 c. 7.] Local Government Act 1974 or section 63(1) of this Act shall apply in relation to the disclosure of information in the course of consultation held in accordance with this section.
(5)In this section “Local Commissioner” has the same meaning as in Part III of the [1974 c. 7.] Local Government Act 1974.