Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth has been arrested and charged in connection with the possession of indecent images. The 52-year-old politician – who has represented the South Scotland constituency for a decade – was taken into custody at a Dumfries property earlier this month and a police investigation has been launched.
The Scottish Labour party suspended Smyth after he was charged, with the politician now an independent MSP. A party 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.
A Police Scotland spokesperson added:
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.
Smyth previously held a number of party spokesperson roles between 2021 and 2023, including energy, transport, net zero and finance. He will appear at Dumfries sheriff court at later date, where the charges against him will be heard.
