Stewart, who has remained on the tour of Pakistan, was named in the CBI report on match-fixing earlier this month but denied that he had received kickbacks from any bookmaker.

The International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit, led by former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Condon, is still investigating the claims, and will be meeting the ECB chairman shortly.

MacLaurin, who was speaking on BBC Five Live, said: "We'll talk about things in general.

"As far as I'm concerned, Alec Stewart is absolutely clear.

"I had a long conversation with him when it first arose some 10 days ago and I've said to Alec 'you get on and do what you do best'.

"For the moment the case is absolutely closed. I have no doubt at all that if anything comes out in the future, Sir Paul will come and talk to us about it.

"But at the moment the matter is closed. Alec is a very strong and excellent international cricketer. He will put this to the back of him and will perform extremely well for England in this series," he added.

ECB spokesman Mark Hodgson said it was not up to the board to clear Stewart.

He told BBC Sport Online: "Lord MacLaurin has reaffirmed his support for Stewart. He has taken his word for it.

"The ICC's anti-corruption unit is still investigating the claims made by the Indian bookmaker.

"We are saying that at the moment as far as we are concerned the case is closed and Stewart is free to play for England.