In an unusual move, the Standards Commission for Scotland said it “certainly has not” cleared council planning committee chairman David Cheape of any wrongdoing in the Duntrune crematorium row. Mr Cheape chaired a specially constituted appeal body after the Court of Session ordered Angus Council to reconsider farmer Guthrie Batchelor’s application. The ESC sends a report to the Standards Commission on the conclusion of any investigation. On receipt, the Standards Commission can take no action, instruct further investigation, or decide to hold a hearing. “There was no formal referral to the Ethical Standards Commission and subsequently I was not/could not be exonerated.