Police search Holyrood toilets after MSP accused of hiding camera as Parliament issues statement
Colin Smyth was arrested earlier this month and is due to appear in court at a later date.
Enhanced security checks have been introduced at the Scottish Parliament after an MSP was accused of placing a secret camera in a toilet inside the Holyrood building.
Colin Smyth said the allegations had come as an “utter shock” and strongly denied them. The father-of-two said he has now moved out of his family home in Dumfries to protect his loved ones and criticised Police Scotland for releasing details of its investigation.
Mr Smyth was suspended by Scottish Labour earlier this month over a charge of possessing indecent images of children and has had his Holyrood pass deactivated.
Police carried out a “full sweep” of Holyrood’s toilets and changing rooms in the wake of the fresh claims over a hidden camera, with Mr Smyth understood to be facing a further charge in relation to the allegations.
Police carried out a “full sweep” of Holyrood’s toilets and changing rooms in the wake of the fresh claims over a hidden camera, with Mr Smyth understood to be facing a further charge in relation to the allegations.
Senior Tory MSP Murdo Fraser called for Mr Smyth to quit his role as convenor of Holyrood’s economy and fair work committee, in the wake of the police charges. A motion to remove Mr Smyth from the role has been submitted for Wednesday’s committee meeting.
“Given the very serious nature of the allegations against Colin Smyth, it would be entirely inappropriate for him to continue as convenor of the economy and fair work committee,” Mr Fraser said.
“He needs to step down immediately, and if he will not do so, then committee members must take steps to remove him.”
In an email to everyone who works at the Scottish Parliament, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone and chief executive David McGill moved to reassure building users.
“You will have read the deeply concerning reports in the media this morning and we understand the unease and anxiety this will be causing you,” they 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. Please be assured that our priority is your safety and welfare and please be confident to use the building as you would normally.”
A new email from the Chief Executive Office at the Scottish Parliament sent last night said the police search “was extended to include the creche and education centre for our assurance”.
“We understand that the manner in which building users became aware of these events has caused added distress,” the email said. “However, until this point we have not been in a position to share information with you.”
It is thought the allegations relate to a toilet beside the Holyrood debating chamber. There was no visible police presence in Holyrood yesterdayFriday.
Mr Smyth, a South Scotland MSP who was previously a modern studies teacher, was arrested on Tuesday, August 5, and is due to appear in court at a later date.
He was first elected as an MSP in 2016 and returned to Holyrood again at the 2021 election, and was previously Scottish Labour's general secretary. The Scottish Parliament website now lists him as an independent. He is married with two daughters.
In a statement, Mr Smyth 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.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “On Tuesday, August 5, 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 spokesman for Scottish Labour said: “The whip has been removed from Colin Smyth MSP, pending an investigation. We cannot comment further on this matter while the investigation is ongoing.”
It is understood the MSP was administratively suspended by Labour after the party became aware of the police investigation.
Mr Smyth released a statement last week, saying: “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.”
A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: “A standard prosecution report has been received by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service from Police Scotland in relation to a 52-year-old man.”
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