Anger as Labour MSP Colin Smyth allowed into Holyrood despite indecent images charge

By Democrat reporter

Top Holyrood officials have been criticised for allowing Labour MSP Colin Smyth, pictured above, to enter the Parliament building after he was charged with possessing indecent images of children.

Smyth, who has also been charged over a hidden camera in a Holyrood toilet, was able to use his MSP pass for the visit this month.

Police Scotland said Smyth, elected as a Labour MSP at the last two Holyrood elections, was charged on August 5th over possessing indecent images.

Now it can be revealed that Smyth attended Parliament after August 5th and was able to freely use the facilities.

Parliament officials said they revoked Smyth’s Holyrood pass on Thursday after the Daily Record approached them over claims about a hidden recording device in a bathroom.

Smyth confirmed that he had visited Holyrood after being charged, saying: “This was a request by constituents to visit Parliament that was in the diary for months.”

Critics hit out at the Parliament for only deactivating Smyth’s pass on Thursday weeks after he was charged.

Ash Regan MSP, left, said: “It is right that justice must take its course, but it is deeply troubling that Colin Smyth’s parliamentary pass was only revoked yesterday, weeks after he was charged with possession of indecent images.”

The Alba MSP added: “Given the serious nature of the charges followed by the shocking discovery of a camera in a Holyrood toilet, people are entitled to ask why action was delayed, leaving staff and members vulnerable to risk.

“Parliament must now commit to an urgent review of its security protocols and decision-making processes. Nothing is more important than the safety and trust of those who work and visit here and lessons must be learned and implemented immediately to restore confidence that such a disturbing breach of trust can never happen again in our Parliament.”

According to the Record, another MSP added: “Colin Smyth should have been blocked from entering Parliament as soon as these serious allegations emerged. Everyone is questioning why it took the governing Corporate Body so long to deactivate his pass.”

A second MSP accused Holyrood’s governing corporate body of dithering, saying: “There are serious questions for the parliamentary authorities to answer on why they felt it was appropriate to allow someone charged with serious offences relating to children to access to the estate.”

Senior figures across the political divide are bracing themselves for MSPs to be interviewed as part of the ongoing police probe, in case they are part of any footage.