Scottish Labour leader 'horrified' after MSP charged over alleged hidden camera in Holyrood toilet

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he was "deeply distressing and shocking" after a former Scottish Labour MSP was charged over an allegation that he hid a secret camera in a toilet at the Scottish Parliament.

Colin Smyth, 52, who has been suspended by the party, is facing a criminal charge relating to the claim and denies the allegation. He was also charged last month in a separate case over possession of indecent images of children and is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date. His parliamentary pass was revoked last week.

Speaking at a news conference in Glasgow, Sarwar said he had not been aware of any concerns about Smyth's behaviour prior to his arrest and that the party had moved to suspend him as soon as it understood the seriousness of the allegations. "This is deeply distressing and shocking for all of us and for people across the parliamentary estate," Sarwar told reporters. He added that he would "like to believe" the toilets in the Scottish Parliament were safe, saying "everyone deserves that basic dignity."

Labour confirmed the MSP's suspension and the revocation of his parliamentary pass following the emergence of the charges. Smyth has denied the camera allegation. Police and prosecutors have charged him in relation to the claim; further legal dates have been set in connection with the separate child-images allegation.

The developments follow an investigation that led to criminal charges being brought against the MSP. Prosecutors and police have not disclosed detailed evidence in the public domain; court papers in the separate possession of indecent images case will be considered at Dumfries Sheriff Court on the listed date.

The allegations have raised questions about security and privacy on the parliamentary estate. Holyrood has public and restricted areas used by MSPs, staff and visitors, and the claim prompted swift action from the party to remove the MSP's access to the estate while legal processes continue.

Smyth's suspension from the party means he remains an MSP but without the party whip pending the outcome of the prosecutions. The Scottish Labour leader said the party would not make further public comment while legal proceedings continue, and he called for confidence in the investigative and judicial processes handling the matter.

Police statements and court schedules will determine the next public steps in the cases. The allegations against Smyth and the separate charge relating to indecent images are subject to the presumption of innocence until proven in court.