ALEX Salmond has been cleared of claims that he broke Holyrood's code of conduct by waving a Saltire at the end of the men's final at Wimbledon.

Stuart Allan, the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland, dismissed the complaint, saying the First Minister's actions were not covered by the code.

Mr Salmond attracted criticism after he was watched by millions waving a large Saltire in the Royal Box at the All England Club as he celebrated Andy Murray's victory over Novak Djokovic. The flag had been carried in his wife Moira's handbag.

A complaint was made by James Crawford, an independent councillor from Inverness, who said Mr Salmond had "embarrassed" his office and deserved a "slap on the wrist".

But Mr Allan said: "Not all aspects of the conduct of an MSP fall within my statutory remit. In addition, I must make clear that not all aspects of an MSP's conduct are covered by the code.

"I understand and fully respect your views on this issue, however, as I have already said, not all conduct is regulated by the code of conduct for MSPs.

"In this case, I am clearly of the view that the conduct you complain of – the waving of the Saltire – cannot in any way be taken to fall within the compass of the code of conduct."

The ruling means no formal inquiry will be carried out.

The complaint was brought under Holyrood's code of conduct for MSPs, which governs their behaviour when acting in that capacity.