Court date set for MSP charged over indecent child images

Colin Smyth, a man with flat brown hair, while wearing a suit, white shirt and purple tie and multicoloured lanyard Getty Images

Colin Smyth MSP was suspended by Scottish Labour in August

A court date has been set for a former Labour MSP charged with possessing indecent images of children.

Colin Smyth, 52, is due to appear at Dumfries Sherriff Court on 24 September.

He is also facing a separate criminal charge over hiding a secret camera in a Scottish Parliament toilet - which he denies.

The South Scotland MSP was elected for Scottish Labour in 2016, but the party suspended him last month when it became aware of the allegations.

He previously criticised Police Scotland for releasing details of its investigation and said he was "fully co-operating".

A police car in front of the Holyrood building on a sunny day, with white stone walls wooden slatted windows and small trees and flagpoles.

Smyth is accused of hiding a camera in a toilet in the Holyrood building

Smyth has held several frontbench roles with Scottish Labour and was previously the party's general secretary.

The married father-of-two was charged over indecent images following a search of his home in Dumfries on 5 August.

Last week he had his Holyrood security access revoked after it was further alleged that he hid a camera in the building.

Timeline of Colin Smyth arrest

  • 5 August: Colin Smyth arrested and charged with possession of indecent images of children

  • 8 August: Police tell parliament about an inquiry into images potentially taken at Holyrood. However, officials are not told who officers are investigating

  • 15 August: Smyth hosts girl guides at the Scottish Parliament

  • 18 August: Labour suspends Smyth after being told of serious allegations.

  • 20 August: Smyth's suspension becomes public. Police confirm the charge in relation to indecent images

  • 28 August: Smyth's pass is revoked (officials later say that decision was based solely on the indecent images charge). The same day, the Daily Record reports Smyth is also facing a separate charge over the hidden camera allegation

  • 29 August: Parliament says no covert devices were found in a search and that it is supporting staff

  • 31 August: The Sunday Mail reports at least five MSPs, one journalist and several staff members have been contacted by police over alleged secret toilet recordings in parliament

  • 1 September: Parliament says it still does not know for a fact that the police investigation into images potentially taken at Holyrood relates to Smyth

Related topics

More on this story