MSP denies placing secret camera in Scottish parliament toilets

A suspended Labour MSP has denied allegations he placed a secret camera in toilets in the Scottish parliament.

Colin Smyth has been charged by police in relation to the allegation, according to the PA news agency.

The South Scotland MSP was arrested on 5 August and charged with a separate offence of possession of indecent images, for which he was suspended from Scottish Labour.

His pass for Holyrood was deactivated on Thursday.

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On Friday, Smyth said he was "fully cooperating" with the investigation but said the police's decision to release further information and his home address had been "devastating".

"This allegation has come as an utter shock and one I strongly refute," he said.

"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 cooperating 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."

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'No covert recording devices found'

The Scottish Parliament presiding officer Alison Johnstone confirmed Police Scotland had carried out a sweep of the building following the allegations and "no covert recording devices have been found".

Ms Johnstone said: "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.

"We have also instructed that enhanced additional checks to our existing security sweeps of the building take place going forward."

Smyth was elected as an MSP in 2016 and returned to Holyrood again in the 2021 election.

He is now listed as an independent on the Scottish parliament website.

Scottish Labour says 'swift action' taken

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "On Tuesday, 5 August 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."

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."