MSP met girl guides on visit to Parliament after indecent images arrest

An MSP accused of hiding a camera in the Scottish Parliament toilets and possessing indecent images of children led Girl Guides on a visit around Holyrood last month.

Colin Smyth’s home was raided and he was arrested on August 5. The 52-year-old was then further charged in connection with a secret camera placed in toilets at Holyrood.

It has emerged the MSP was involved in a visit to Parliament by “rangers” and “young leaders” from Girlguiding days after he was charged.

The organisation said “no girls were affected” by the meeting.

A spokesperson said: “Girls’ safety and wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do in Girlguiding. We are aware that an MSP has been charged by Police Scotland.

“The MSP was present during a visit by Rangers and Young Leaders to the Scottish Parliament in August. 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.”

‘An unprecedented situation’

In an update to parliament on Tuesday, presiding officer Alison Johnstone described the situation as “unprecedented”.

Johnstone confirmed that no devices were found by police during a sweep of the building, but online and physical security remains under review.

“Not a single person in Parliament is unaffected… and I just wish to take this opportunity to reiterate a number of points to the chamber”, she said.

“I’m absolutely appalled that anyone would have to face a situation like this in Parliament or indeed in any workplace or in any other environment. We all feel shock and hurt at the recent allegations relating to an elected member and reports of an invasion, a shocking invasion of privacy.”

Johnstone said the circumstances were “unprecedented” for Parliament and was a “highly complex situation to navigate”.

She said the information available to the Parliament at different stages has been limited due to the ongoing criminal investigation.

Last week, Smyth had his security pass for Holyrood rescinded, effectively barring him from the premises.

“It’s important to be clear that neither officials nor the Scottish parliamentary corporate body have the authority to remove the rights and privileges of an elected member,” Johnstone said.

“Officials have worked at pace to consider how this unprecedented situation should best be responded to…and having considered this, the Scottish parliamentary corporate body agreed to deactivate the member’s pass.”

First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar have both said they are “horrified” by the allegations.

The SNP leader said he was “extremely concerned” about the implications for those using the Holyrood building, including MSPs, staff and journalists.

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