Presiding officer ‘absolutely appalled’ by Colin Smyth allegations

Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone has said she is “absolutely appalled” by the recent allegations against Colin Smyth MSP.

Making a statement in the chamber on the first day back from recess, Johnstone said it was a “deeply shocking situation” as she sought to address concerns.

Smyth was arrested and charged last month for the possession of indecent images.

It later surfaced that the MSP was also being investigated for placing a hidden camera in the parliament’s toilets.

His parliamentary pass was revoked last week following a meeting of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. Parliament officials and Police Scotland also carried out a search of the building, though no covert devices were found.

There has been some criticism of the parliament for not acting quickly enough.

Senior officials were made aware of footage potentially taken at Holyrood on 8 August, but not who the allegations related to. To date, the parliament has not received official police confirmation that the enquiry does relate to Smyth.

Officials were not aware of the charge of indecent images until 20 August, when Police Scotland issued a public statement.

His parliamentary security pass was not deactivated until 28 August.

In between being charged and the news of his arrest being made public, Smyth hosted a group of girl guides at the parliament.

Girlguiding told the Daily Record, which first reported the visit, that trained volunteers were with the young people at all times and “no girls were affected”.

In the chamber on Tuesday afternoon, the presiding officer said: “I’m absolutely appalled that anyone would have to face a situation like this in parliament, or indeed any workplace or in any other environment.

“We all feel shock and hurt at the recent allegations relating to an elected member and reports of a shocking invasion of privacy.

“The safety and welfare of everyone who works in this building is our priority. These circumstances are unprecedented for this parliament, and it has been and continues to be a highly complex situation to navigate.

“There is an ongoing, live, criminal investigation. The information available to the parliament at different stages has therefore necessarily been limited. Parliamentary authorities do not have conformation of any investigation details, and if further information is confirmed or verified, we will share this.”

She confirmed that enhanced security checks would remain in place to provide reassurance to staff about their safety, with online and physical security measures to be reviewed.

Additional support has also been made available to victims.

Earlier this year, the House of Commons agreed to introduce a risk-based exclusion policy which means MPs can be banned from the parliamentary estate if they have been arrested on suspicion of committing a violent or sexual offence.

Such a mechanism does not exist at Holyrood, with neither officials nor the SPCB having the authority to remove the rights and privileges of MSPs.

Smyth has denied both allegations made against him.