Questions around the impartiality of the Speaker ended Tuesday afternoon in the legislature, with the Standing Committee on Rules, Regulations, Private Bills and Privileges finding "no impropriety" on the part of Buck Watts since he was elected Speaker last June.

In an unusual step in late April, Watts asked for a review of his own conduct, after alleging the Opposition was attempting to intimidate him by questioning his impartiality.

Opposition Leader Jamie Fox had written a letter on April 15 to the rules committee suggesting the attendance of the current speaker at Liberal caucus events "could lead to his impartiality being called into question." That letter was leaked to the Guardian newspaper and eventually read aloud in the house.

Fox said he did not leak the letter.

In the letter Fox asked the rules committee to adopt a new rule. "This rule would clearly state that while holding the Office of the Speaker, members shall abstain from all partisan activity," stated the letter.

On April 26, Watts told the house, "I take these statements very seriously, and see the letter sent to the rules committee by the Leader of the Opposition and subsequent public reflections on the impartiality of the speaker and suggestions of non-confidence to be a clear form of intimidation."

The rules committee researched partisan activities undertaken across the country by speakers, committee chair Kathleen Casey told the House Tuesday, and concluded Watts has done nothing wrong.

Casey also said the Opposition didn't intend to call the Speaker's impartiality into question, but rather ask for guidance "on the subject of partisan political activity by Speakers, not the activities of the present Speaker."

The committee's report criticized the media, calling some reporting "irresponsible and unsubstantiated." The committee pointed to a quote from a Guardian story which said recent rulings by the speaker "have led to some discussion among some of the MLAs about a possible motion of non-confidence against the speaker."

The committee's report goes on to state, "Despite media reports to the contrary, there are no members of the Official Opposition contemplating a motion of non-confidence in the Speaker."

In an email statement sent to CBC, the Guardian's manager editor, Wayne Thibodeau, had this response to the criticism in the report. "The Guardian stands 100 per cent behind its reporting. In fact, we have a paper trail to support all of our coverage."

While there are no hard and fast rules for the types of activities in which Speakers can take part, either in P.E.I. or in other provinces, Casey noted each has "well-established customs and practices that guide Speakers in the enhancement of impartiality of the office by refraining from participation in partisan political activity to the degree deemed appropriate for that jurisdiction. The practices vary."

"Mr. Speaker, you can be assured that every member of your committee has the utmost of respect for you as Speaker," Casey said.

"The House expresses its full and unqualified support for and confidence in your continuation as Speaker," Casey concluded, as MLAs from all parties gave Watts a standing ovation and unanimously approved the report.

The report's single recommendation: that the Speaker refrain from all partisan activity, including attending party caucus meetings, for 60 days before and 30 days after a sitting of the legislature.

The clerk's office has said P.E.I. Speakers have traditionally abided by a similar practice.

Casey said the committee decided further investigation, "would serve no useful purpose, is not in the best interest of the Legislative Assembly or the office of the Speaker, and would further serve to call into question the important work of all members."