Colin Smyth MSP charged over indecent images

Colin Smyth has been suspended from the Labour Party after being charged by police in connection with the possession of indecent images.

The South Scotland MSP is now listed on the Scottish Parliament website as an independent, having sat as a Scottish Labour MSP since 2016.  

In a statement, Smyth said: “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 not able to comment further at this stage, and in the meantime I would ask that for the privacy of my family and friends to be respected.”

The MSP served as the party’s transport spokesperson between 2017 and 2021 under then leader Richard Leonard. 

Smyth later was named Scottish Labour spokesperson on for constitution and external affairs when Anas Sarwar became leader.

He was also the general secretary of Scottish Labour for four years until October 2012, and was earlier this year selected as the party's 2026 candidate for the Dumfriesshire constituency.

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.”

Smyth’s social media still lists him as a Labour MSP, while a local Dumfries and Galloway Labour Facebook page shared a social media post of Smyth’s yesterday.  

A Labour 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.”