MSP hosted girl guides at parliament after indecent images arrest | UK News

An MSP hosted a group of girl guides at the Scottish Parliament days after he was charged with possessing indecent images of children.

Colin Smyth, who has been suspended by Labour, met the group at Holyrood on 15 August, 10 days after he was arrested over indecent images.

Last week it was revealed that the South Scotland MSP, 52, is facing a separate criminal charge over an allegation that he hid a secret camera in a toilet at the parliament, which he denies.

Girlguiding said “no girls were affected” by the visit to Holyrood, which was first reported by the Daily Record.

Girlguiding confirmed that Smyth was present during a visit of “rangers” and “young leaders” to Holyrood.

According to the organisation’s website, these groups could include girls aged between 14 and 18.

A spokeswoman said: “Girlguiding has robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place, which were followed: trained Girlguiding adult volunteers were with the young people at all times, and no girls were affected.”

Smyth previously told the Daily Record that the visit to Holyrood on 15 August had been requested by constituents and “was in the diary for months”.

The MSP, a married father-of-two, was charged with possession of indecent images of children following a search of his home in Dumfries on 5 August.

He is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date.

The news did not become public until 20 August. The former Scottish Labour general secretary said he was “fully co-operating” with the investigation.

Scotland News was told that the party became aware of serious allegations on 18 August and suspended him on that day.

Smyth’s parliamentary pass was revoked last Thursday. Later that day, it was reported that he was facing a separate charge over accusations that he put a secret camera in a Holyrood toilet.

He denied that allegation and criticised Police Scotland for releasing details of its investigation.

The Scottish Parliament said that police had searched all toilets and changing rooms but found no “covert recording devices”.

Although Smyth’s pass has been deactivated, he could still contribute remotely to parliamentary proceedings. However, the has been told that he has been signed off work on medical grounds.

Smyth has resigned as convenor of the economy and fair work committee after MSPs on the committee submitted a motion calling for his removal.

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “Any visit to Holyrood on 15 August was not part of a parliament-arranged programme.

“The parliamentary authorities became aware of the charges in relation to Mr Smyth on 20 August.

“As a live police investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for us to comment any further.”

The Sunday Mail has reported that at least five MSPs, one journalist and several staff members have been contacted by police over alleged secret toilet recordings at Holyrood.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar described the allegations against Smyth as “deeply distressing and shocking”.

Sarwar said he had had not been aware of any concerns about Smyth’s behaviour prior to his arrest, but that Labour suspended him as soon as it knew of the “seriousness of the allegations”.

First Minister John Swinney said he was “horrified” by the claims.

Parliament officials have faced questions over why Smyth’s access to Holyrood was not revoked immediately when criminal charges against him first came to light.

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said officials had worked urgently to establish both a legal basis and an appropriate route for them to take action.

Party leaders are due to meet the presiding officer and chief executive.

Smyth has been asked to comment on the girl guides visit.

• 5 August: Colin Smyth arrested and charged over possession of indecent images of children
• 8 August: Police tell parliament about an inquiry into images potentially taken at Holyrood. However, officials are not told who officers are investigating
• 15 August: Smyth hosts girl guides at the Scottish Parliament
• 18 August: Labour suspends Smyth after being told of serious allegations.
• 20 August: Smyth’s suspension becomes public. Police confirm the charge over indecent images
• 28 August: Smyth’s pass is revoked (officials later say that decision was based solely on the indecent images charge). The same day, the Daily Record reports Smyth is also facing a separate charge over the hidden camera allegation
• 29 August: Parliament says no covert devices were found in a search and that it is supporting staff
• 31 August: The Sunday Mail reports at least five MSPs, one journalist and several staff members have been contacted by police over alleged secret toilet recordings in parliament
• 1 September: Parliament says it still does not know for a fact that the police investigation into images potentially taken at Holyrood relates to Smyth