Standards Investigation - Project Open Gov

An inquiry into whether an MP may have breached the House of Commons Code of Conduct or related rules.

Category: Parliament and elections Parliamentary procedure

Also used as: standards investigation, standards investigations, investigation by the Commissioner, Commissioner investigation, Code of Conduct investigation

Source / explainer: Read the House of Commons standards process explainer

Last reviewed: 22 August 2026

A standards investigation is an inquiry into whether an MP may have breached the House of Commons Code of Conduct or related rules. Investigations may be handled by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and can lead to rectification, referral to the Committee on Standards, or other outcomes depending on the case.

Related terms

Committee on StandardsA Commons committee concerned with standards of conduct for MPs.House of Commons Code of ConductThe rules setting expected standards of conduct for MPs in their public role.Parliamentary Commissioner for StandardsThe independent House of Commons officer responsible for monitoring the Code of Conduct and registers.RectificationA process used to resolve less serious breaches of the Commons standards rules.