The Daily Record can reveal that Smyth, who has been suspended from the party after being charged in connection with possession of indecent images, also faces charges of placing a camera in a toilet at the Scottish Parliament building.
19:44, 28 Aug 2025Updated 22:34, 28 Aug 2025
Labour MSP Colin Smyth (Image: Getty)
An MSP has been charged over allegations a secret camera was placed in the Scottish Parliament toilets.
It was revealed last week that Labour MSP Colin Smyth had been suspended from the party after being charged in connection with possession of indecent images.
The Daily Record can now reveal Smyth also faces charges of placing a camera in a toilet at the Scottish Parliament building.
Smyth, from Dumfries, was arrested after Police Scotland officers carried out a search of his home on August 5. A search of his mobile phone and computer took place.
He is now set to appear in court in relation to the charges after a report was submitted to prosecutors.
Original reports suggested Smyth was found in possession of images of children.
The further details on activity at the Holyrood building, which relate to an “ongoing investigation”, only emerged last night.
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Labour MSP Colin Smyth in the lobby of the Scottish Parliament(Image: 2023 Ken Jack/Getty)
When asked by the Record about the video camera allegations, Police Scotland said: “On Tuesday, 5 August, 2025, officers executed a warrant at a property in Dumfries and a 52-year-old man was arrested and charged as part of an ongoing investigation.
“He is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date.” The force had earlier said that a warrant had been executed at a property Dumfries, adding: “A 52-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with possession of indecent images.”
David McGill, the parliament’s chief executive, wrote to MSPs this evening saying Smyth’s pass had been deactivated:
“You will be aware of the serious criminal charges brought against Colin Smyth MSP. With Police Scotland’s investigation ongoing, the SPCB has this evening taken the decision to deactivate Mr Smyth’s parliamentary security pass.
“We recognise the nature of the criminal charges and the ongoing investigation may be upsetting for colleagues and cause distress. We would therefore like to remind everyone who works at Holyrood or in constituency offices of the confidential support services that are available.”You can find details of the support on the intranet: Support and Counselling Service.”
A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “Given the ongoing criminal investigation, the SPCB took the decision this evening to deactivate Colin Smyth’s parliamentary pass. We have informed all building users at Holyrood.”
Married dad Smyth is a former councillor who first entered Holyrood as an MSP at the 2016 election after being returned on the South Scotland regional list.
He served as Scottish Labour transport spokesman under the leadership of Richard Leonard.
Smyth held various roles after Anas Sarwar replaced Leonard as Scottish Labour leader, including as the party’s spokesman on the constitution and external affairs.
The MSP is a former general secretary of Scottish Labour, holding the post from 2008 to 2012.
A Labour spokesman said: “Swift action was taken after we became aware of these serious allegations. Colin Smyth MSP is an independent MSP.
“We cannot comment further on these deeply concerning developments while legal proceedings are ongoing.”
Smyth said in a statement last week: “These events have come as a shock and this is a deeply stressful time. I am obviously co-operating fully with any inquiries and hope the matter can be resolved quickly.”
He is now listed as an independent on the Holyrood website.