Scottish Parliament creche searched amid claims MSP ‘hid camera in toilets’

The creche and education centre at the Scottish Parliament has been searched by police amid claims an MSP ‘hid a camera’ in a Holyrood toilet.

Police arrested Colin Smyth on August 5 and he was charged in connection with possession of indecent images, including some images of children.

Scottish Labour suspended the 52-year-old following the arrest.

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

It is understood he is now facing fresh charges following allegations a secret camera was placed in toilets at the Scottish Parliament.

Smyth refuted the claims saying the allegations came as an “utter shock”.

In an email to staff, Holyrood officials said police had carried out a full sweep of all toilets and changing rooms in the building and no recording devices were found.

A new email from the Chief Executive Office at the Scottish Parliament was sent to staff on Friday evening confirming that the police search was extended to include the creche and education centre.

“Having conducted that search, Police Scotland confirmed no covert devices were found. Going forward we have instructed that enhanced additional checks to our existing security sweep of the building be carried out to provide reassurance to building users,” the email read.

Smyth’s security pass for the Scottish Parliament was rescinded amid the ongoing investigation.

Officials acknowledged the “distress” caused to building users, saying: “we know one of your key worries will be whether you are directly affected.”

“It is for Police Scotland to identify and contact potential victims. This is not information we have. We have however been working to put in place additional support for you,” the email read.

Smyth said he was fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation, and slammed Police Scotland for releasing details about the probe, which he said forced his family to relocate.

“The speculation, and the recent decision by the police to publicly release details of their ongoing inquiries along with my home address has been devastating and has taken a serious toll on my health,” he said.

“After my address was published with no warning to my family, I felt I had no choice but to move away to protect them. That has also meant losing the local NHS critical support I had been receiving for the past few weeks, making an already difficult time even more distressing.”

He added: “I would therefore ask that the privacy of myself, but above all my family and friends, is respected while this matter is resolved. Having this hanging over them is especially overwhelming”.

The Crown Office has said no court has been set yet.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, officers executed a warrant at a property on Marchfield Avenue, Dumfries.

“A 52-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with possession of indecent images. He is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date.”