The request had been made by Macedo himself with Commission President Pedro Lynce saying such was not possible as Macedo, a former Interior Minister, was neither charged nor formally wanted for questioning.


"Looking at the statute and this was unanimous among all parties, we did not find the scope to meet the request of Miguel Macedo," said fellow Social Democrat MP Lynce.


The commission president explained that the request was “unprecedented” and that there was nothing in the commission’s regulations enabling such a situation.


The statute for Members of Parliament endows immunity from charges and questioning unless specifically lifted with such happening automatically in any cases where a member is facing accusations that might result in a prison sentence of over three years.


Macedo resigned as Minister of Internal Affairs following arrests of senior officials in his ministry on suspicions of fraud and corruption in the allocation of fast-track gold visas and sought to have his immunity lifted so that he could speak to the authorities and clear his name.


Whilst there are media reports that Macedo might nevertheless be facing charges, these thus far have not been forthcoming with Lynce expressing sympathy for the position the former minister faced.


"Systematically, we have the media throwing this question out and it is a very complicated situation. I have already experienced this situation somewhat and it is difficult in personal terms when an individual wishes to defend himself but cannot” explained Lynce.