HOLYROOD has vetoed hiring any new statutory commissioners until a “root-and-branch review” of the role is carried out.

The decision follows a finance and public administration committee report from September, which found the growing system of bodies — including the Standards Commission for Scotland, Scottish Information Commissioner, Scottish Public Services Ombudsman and Scottish Human Rights Commission — was not “fit for purpose.”

Moving the motion in the Scottish Parliament, committee chairman Kenny Gibson called for a “root-and-branch review.”