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Labour MSP Colin Smyth charged over indecent images Labour MSP Colin Smyth charged over indecent images
(about 16 hours later)
Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth has been arrested and charged over possession of indecent images of children.Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth has been arrested and charged over possession of indecent images of children.
The 52-year-old, who has represented South Scotland since 2016, was arrested at a property in Dumfries earlier this month.The 52-year-old, who has represented South Scotland since 2016, was arrested at a property in Dumfries earlier this month.
Smyth has been suspended by Scottish Labour and is now listed as an independent on the parliament website.Smyth has been suspended by Scottish Labour and is now listed as an independent on the parliament website.
He is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date.He is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date.
Smyth has held several frontbench roles, most recently in April 2023, and previously served as Scottish Labour's general secretary.Smyth has held several frontbench roles, most recently in April 2023, and previously served as Scottish Labour's general secretary.
His phone was answered but then died when BBC Scotland News first tried to contact him.His phone was answered but then died when BBC Scotland News first tried to contact him.
However, Smyth later issued a statement in which he said: "These events have come as a shock and this is a deeply stressful time. Smyth later said in a statement: "These events have come as a shock and this is a deeply stressful time.
"I am obviously cooperating fully with any inquiries and hope the matter can be resolved quickly."I am obviously cooperating fully with any inquiries and hope the matter can be resolved quickly.
"I am not able to comment further at this stage.""I am not able to comment further at this stage."
A Labour spokesperson said: "The whip has been removed from Colin Smyth MSP, pending an investigation.A Labour spokesperson said: "The whip has been removed from Colin Smyth MSP, pending an investigation.
"We cannot comment further on this matter while the investigation is ongoing.""We cannot comment further on this matter while the investigation is ongoing."
Smyth previously worked as a modern studies teacher and has children.
It is understood the party suspended Smyth at the weekend when it became aware of the police investigation.It is understood the party suspended Smyth at the weekend when it became aware of the police investigation.
Smyth was arrested on 5 August. He appeared in a video with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar which was posted on social media two days later, but has since been deleted.Smyth was arrested on 5 August. He appeared in a video with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar which was posted on social media two days later, but has since been deleted.