A Scottish Labour politician has been taken into custody and removed from his party position following allegations of possessing indecent images.
Colin Smyth, who represents South Scotland in the Scottish Parliament, has been suspended after party officials learned about an ongoing criminal investigation.
Colin Smyth represents South Scotland in the Scottish Parliament
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GETTY
Law enforcement officials confirmed that an arrest took place at a residential address in Dumfries on August 5, 2025.
The Labour Party suspended the MP, immediately withdrawing parliamentary privileges from the MSP, while investigations continue.
Officers from Police Scotland carried out a search warrant at an address on Marchfield Avenue in Dumfries during the early August operation.
A Police Scotland spokesman stated: “On Tuesday, Aug 5, 2025, officers executed a warrant at a property on Marchfield Avenue, Dumfries.”
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The Labour Party suspended the MP
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SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
The spokesman confirmed that: “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 Labour Party spokesman responded to the developments, saying: “The whip has been removed from Colin Smyth MSP, pending an investigation. We cannot comment further on this matter while the investigation is ongoing.”
The politician has served in the Scottish Parliament since his election in 2016. Throughout his parliamentary tenure, he has occupied various senior positions within the party structure.
His most recent appointment to a shadow cabinet position came in April 2023.
Before entering parliament, he held the role of general secretary for Scottish Labour, managing party operations at a senior level.
His current status remains that of a suspended member while criminal proceedings and party investigations proceed.
