
Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth arrested and charged over indecent images
The South Scotland MSP was arrested on Tuesday and is due to appear in court at a later date.
He was first elected as an MSP in 2016 and returned to Holyrood again at the 2021 election.
The Scottish Parliament website now lists him as an Independent.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland 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.'
A spokesman for Scottish Labour 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.'
It is understood the MSP was administratively suspended by Labour after the party became aware of the police investigation.
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The Independent
a minute ago
- The Independent
Solving the asylum question is suddenly even more urgent
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Mr Farage's interventions in the riots last year only added to the campaign of disinformation underway, and most recently was made to apologise for claiming that the Essex police had 'bussed in' counter-demonstrators in Epping. The Conservatives, mesmerised by the rise of Reform UK, are in a constant losing battle to out-Farage Farage, and they should know better than to propagate myths about asylum seekers living in 'offensively luxurious' conditions, which was today's unhelpful sideswipe from former Tory MP Damian Green. The shadow home secretary Chris Philp and the shadow communities secretary James Cleverly should bear their share of the blame for the mess the asylum system is in, and offer some constructive alternatives and call for calm. They will not recover as a serious alternative party of government until they too come up with a plan for the asylum system. The leader of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch, often talks of such a thing, but it is yet to be seen. 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One other immediate effect will be to increase the pressure in areas where Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green councils may still try to stick to a 'refugees welcome' policy. This only creates a sense of unfairness that the task of finding shelter for the immigrants is not being properly shared across the country. And, in any case, all, including the refugees and other migrants affected, agree that using hotels is a far from ideal solution in any case. Contrary to some of the anti-refugee propaganda, these hotels, whatever their nominal star ratings, are unsuitable for long-term residence, and are not the lap of luxury. Concierge is not available. Asylum seekers are not allowed to work, they are given shelter and a minimal allowance to stave off destitution, some medical attention and, courtesy of some councils, access to some recreational activities. They are not cosseted in the way some seem to imagine. 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The Independent
a minute ago
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STV News
a minute ago
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