South of Scotland MSP denies hiding camera in Scottish Parliament toilets
Suspended Labour MSP Colin Smyth has denied an allegation he placed a secret camera in toilets inside the Scottish Parliament.
The South of Scotland MSP was arrested on Tuesday, August 5th, and charged with a separate offence of possession of indecent images, prompting his suspension from Scottish Labour.
On Friday, Smyth said he was "fully co-operating" with the investigation but said the decision by the police to release further information and his home address had been "devastating".
He said: "This allegation has come as an utter shock and one I strongly refute.
"For legal reasons, I can't respond to specific matters or speculation, and I appreciate there is a process to go through which I am, of course, fully co-operating with. But I sincerely hope it can be concluded quickly and fairly.
"The speculation, and the recent decision by the police to publicly release details of their ongoing inquiries along with my home address has been devastating and has taken a serious toll on my health.
"After my address was published with no warning to my family, I felt I had no choice but to move away to protect them. That has also meant losing the local NHS critical support I had been receiving for the past few weeks, making an already difficult time even more distressing.
"I would therefore ask that the privacy of myself, but above all my family and friends, is respected while this matter is resolved. Having this hanging over them is especially overwhelming."
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His statement comes after the Scottish Parliament presiding officer confirmed that Police Scotland had conducted a sweep of the building following the allegations and "no covert recording devices have been found".
Presiding officer Alison Johnstone wrote on Thursday: "We can confirm that Police Scotland, with our support, have conducted a full sweep of all toilets and changing rooms in our building and that no covert recording devices have been found."
A Scottish Parliament spokesperson has said that given the ongoing criminal investigation, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) "took the decision this evening to deactivate Colin Smyth's parliamentary pass".
Smyth was first elected as an MSP in 2016 and returned to Holyrood again at the 2021 election.
The Scottish Parliament website now lists him as an Independent.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "On Tuesday, August 5th, 2025, officers executed a warrant at a property on Marchfield Avenue, Dumfries.
"A 52-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with possession of indecent images. He is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date."
It is understood the MSP was administratively suspended by Labour after the party became aware of the police investigation.
A Scottish Labour Party spokesperson said: "We cannot comment further on these deeply concerning developments while legal proceedings are ongoing."
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