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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| MSP Colin Smyth denies hiding camera in Scottish Parliament toilet | MSP Colin Smyth denies hiding camera in Scottish Parliament toilet |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Colin Smyth MSP was suspended by Labour earlier this month | Colin Smyth MSP was suspended by Labour earlier this month |
| An MSP has denied hiding a secret camera in a toilet at the Scottish Parliament, after being barred from entering the building. | An MSP has denied hiding a secret camera in a toilet at the Scottish Parliament, after being barred from entering the building. |
| Colin Smyth, 52, was suspended by Labour earlier this month over a separate charge of possessing indecent images of children. | Colin Smyth, 52, was suspended by Labour earlier this month over a separate charge of possessing indecent images of children. |
| Smyth criticised Police Scotland for releasing details of its investigation and said it had forced him to leave his home to protect his family. | Smyth criticised Police Scotland for releasing details of its investigation and said it had forced him to leave his home to protect his family. |
| The South Scotland MSP said he was "fully co-operating" with officers and is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date. | The South Scotland MSP said he was "fully co-operating" with officers and is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date. |
| He will now face a further charge over hiding a camera in the Holyrood building in Edinburgh. | He will now face a further charge over hiding a camera in the Holyrood building in Edinburgh. |
| In an email to staff on Thursday, the parliament's corporate body said that Smyth's building access had been revoked due to the "ongoing criminal investigation". | In an email to staff on Thursday, the parliament's corporate body said that Smyth's building access had been revoked due to the "ongoing criminal investigation". |
| The Scottish Parliament has confirmed that police had searched all toilets and changing rooms but found no "covert recording devices". | The Scottish Parliament has confirmed that police had searched all toilets and changing rooms but found no "covert recording devices". |
| Smyth is accused of hiding a camera in a toilet in the Holyrood building | Smyth is accused of hiding a camera in a toilet in the Holyrood building |
| In a statement, Smyth said: "This allegation has come as an utter shock and one I strongly refute." | |
| The MSP, who was arrested in Dumfries on 5 August, has held several frontbench roles with Scottish Labour and was previously the party's general secretary. | The MSP, who was arrested in Dumfries on 5 August, has held several frontbench roles with Scottish Labour and was previously the party's general secretary. |
| The statement continued: "The speculation, and recent decision by the police to release publicly details of their ongoing inquiries along with my home address has been devastating and has taken a serious toll on my health. | |
| "After my address was published, I felt I had no choice but to move away to protect my family." | "After my address was published, I felt I had no choice but to move away to protect my family." |
| Smyth previously worked as a modern studies teacher and has a wife and two daughters. | Smyth previously worked as a modern studies teacher and has a wife and two daughters. |
| He added the police investigation was "especially overwhelming" for them. | He added the police investigation was "especially overwhelming" for them. |
| Security sweeps | Security sweeps |
| In an email to MSPs on Friday, the Scottish Parliament said that staff "safety and welfare" was its priority. | In an email to MSPs on Friday, the Scottish Parliament said that staff "safety and welfare" was its priority. |
| Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone wrote: "We can confirm that Police Scotland, with our support, have conducted a full sweep of all toilets and changing rooms in our building and that no covert recording devices have been found. | Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone wrote: "We can confirm that Police Scotland, with our support, have conducted a full sweep of all toilets and changing rooms in our building and that no covert recording devices have been found. |
| "We have also instructed that enhanced additional checks to our existing security sweeps of the building take place going forward." | "We have also instructed that enhanced additional checks to our existing security sweeps of the building take place going forward." |
| The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body revoked Smyth's access to the building ahead of MSPs returning from the summer recess next week. | The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body revoked Smyth's access to the building ahead of MSPs returning from the summer recess next week. |
| It is understood that Smyth could still contribute to debates and vote remotely using a system set up at Holyrood during the pandemic. | It is understood that Smyth could still contribute to debates and vote remotely using a system set up at Holyrood during the pandemic. |
| Scottish Labour said that Smyth was now an independent MSP after it took "swift action" when the party became aware of the police investigation. | Scottish Labour said that Smyth was now an independent MSP after it took "swift action" when the party became aware of the police investigation. |
| A spokesperson said: "We cannot comment further on these deeply concerning developments while legal proceedings are ongoing." | A spokesperson said: "We cannot comment further on these deeply concerning developments while legal proceedings are ongoing." |