Suspended Labour MSP Colin Smyth has been charged over allegations that a secret camera was placed in toilets inside the Scottish Parliament. The 52-year-old South Scotland MSP faces a further charge from Police Scotland relating to the alleged covert recording device, according to the PA news agency.
Smyth was arrested on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, in connection with possession of indecent images and was due to appear in court at a later date. The Daily Record reported that he was charged over the camera allegations on Thursday evening. Following the new charge, the Scottish Parliament's corporate body deactivated his parliamentary pass.
In an email to MSPs, Parliament Chief Executive David McGill said: '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.'
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone and McGill offered reassurance to building users, confirming that Police Scotland had swept all toilets and changing rooms and found no covert recording devices. They said: 'Please be assured that our priority is your safety and welfare and please be confident to use the building as you would normally.'
In a statement last week, Smyth said: '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. I am not able to comment further at this stage, and in the meantime I would ask for the privacy of my family and friends to be respected.'
