MSP accused of hiding camera in Scottish Parliament toilet

Colin Smyth has been suspended by the Labour party

An MSP has been accused of placing a secret camera in a toilet at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

Colin Smyth was suspended by Labour earlier this month on a separate charge of possessing indecent images of children.

Holyrood's corporate body told staff in an email that Smyth's building access had been revoked during an "ongoing criminal investigation".

The South Scotland MSP is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date over the child images charge.

He will face a further charge by police over the camera allegations, according to a report in the Daily Record newspaper.

This has been confirmed to BBC Scotland News by several senior political figures.

Smyth has held several party frontbench roles, most recently in April 2023, and was previously Scottish Labour's general secretary.

Smyth is accused of hiding a camera at the Holyrood building in Edinburgh

A Scottish Labour Party spokesperson 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."

Ahead of Holyrood returning from recess next week, Holyrood chief executive David McGill contacted MSPs to say Smyth would be denied access to the building.

He wrote: "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."

It is understood that Smyth could still contribute to debates and vote remotely using a system set up at Holyrood during the pandemic.

'Deeply stressful time'

Smyth previously worked as a modern studies teacher and has children.

He has spoken about his wife and daughters to Holyrood magazine.

Following his arrest, Smyth said he was co-operating with inquiries.

He said in a statement: "These events have come as a shock and this is a deeply stressful time."

Smyth has been contacted for further comment.

A Holyrood spokesperson said: "Given the ongoing criminal investigation, the SPCB (Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body) took the decision to deactivate Colin Smyth's parliamentary pass.

"We have informed all building users at Holyrood."