Suspended Labour MSP from Scotland accused of owning illegal indecent child imagery
Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth Charged with Possessing Indecent Child Images
Colin Smyth, a former Scottish Labour MSP, has been charged with possessing indecent child images following his arrest on August 5 in Dumfries. The news has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Scotland.
Smyth, who was elected to Holyrood in 2016, had held several frontbench positions under the leadership of Nicola Sturgeon and Richard Leonard. He served as constitution and external affairs spokesman under Sturgeon's leadership and as transport spokesman for the party under Leonard's tenure.
However, following the charges, Smyth has been suspended by the Labour Party and is now listed as an independent on the Scottish Parliament website. He was also removed from Scottish Labour's list of MSPs on their own website.
In a statement to The Scottish Sun, Smyth expressed his shock and requested privacy for himself and his family. He said, "I am shocked and deeply distressed by these allegations. I am cooperating fully with the police and would ask for privacy for myself and my family at this time."
The arrest and charges were made by Police Scotland, and the prosecutor handling the case is not publicly disclosed. A Crown Office spokesperson received a standard prosecution report from Police Scotland in relation to Smyth.
Smyth, who lives in the Dumfries area, became an MSP in 2016. Prior to that, he was a Dumfries and Galloway councillor. He also served as general secretary at Scottish Labour HQ between 2008 and 2012.
Despite the charges, social media posts indicate that Smyth continued to campaign after his arrest. On August 12, he posted about a visit to an Action for Children hub in Kelloholm, Dumfriesshire, which actually took place earlier in July. This post was made after his arrest on August 5.
On August 7, a video was posted by Scottish Labour Anas Sawar, showing Smyth. Following his arrest, the video has been taken down. Smyth also attended the Dumfries and Lockerbie Agricultural Show on Saturday August 2, and had a meeting with a local LGBT+ group.
On August 13, the Scottish Pensioners Forum posted about a meeting with Smyth discussing a Commissioner for Older People. It is unclear if this meeting took place after his arrest.
Smyth is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date. The investigation into the matter is ongoing.
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