A veteran Scottish Labour MSP has been arrested and charged in connection with possession of indecent images, prompting his immediate suspension from the party just weeks before Holyrood returns from summer recess.
Colin Smyth, 52, who has represented South Scotland since 2016, was arrested at a property on Marchfield Avenue in Dumfries on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, after officers executed a warrant. The long-serving politician is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date.
Scottish Labour moved swiftly to suspend Smyth when party officials became aware of the police investigation, with the MSP now listed as an independent on the Scottish Parliament website.
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.
The arrest marks a dramatic fall from grace for a politician who has held several prominent positions within Scottish Labour over nearly two decades. Smyth served as the party’s general secretary from 2008 to 2012 and most recently held the role of Scottish Labour Spokesperson for Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, a position he was appointed to by current leader Anas Sarwar in April 2021.
A Labour Party spokesperson confirmed the suspension, stating: “The whip has been removed from Colin Smyth MSP, pending an investigation. We cannot comment further on this matter while the investigation is ongoing.”
BBC Scotland News attempted to contact Smyth for comment, but his phone was answered before the line went dead. The MSP has made no public statement regarding the charges.
Political Career in Tatters
The arrest brings an abrupt end to what had been a steady political career spanning local and national politics. Before entering Holyrood, Smyth worked as a modern studies teacher and became a Labour party organiser in 2003. He was elected to Dumfries and Galloway Council in 2007, representing the Nith Ward, and was re-elected in 2012.
His elevation to national politics came in 2016 when he was elected to the Scottish Parliament on the South Scotland regional list. He served as the party’s transport spokesman between 2017 and 2021 under the leadership of Richard Leonard, before being given the constitution and external affairs brief by Anas Sarwar.
At the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, Smyth stood as a Labour Co-operative candidate for the first time, contesting the constituency seat of Dumfriesshire but was returned as a regional list member for South Scotland again.
Timing Raises Questions
The timing of the arrest and suspension is particularly significant, coming just a week and a half before the Scottish Parliament returns from its summer recess. Smyth had been actively engaged in parliamentary business, recently submitting a series of questions about ADHD assessment waiting times and support services in July 2025.
He also serves as Convener of the Economy and Fair Work Committee, a position that will now presumably need to be filled given his suspension from the Labour group.
The case represents another blow to Scottish Labour, which has been working to rebuild its reputation and electoral fortunes under Anas Sarwar’s leadership. The party had shown signs of recovery in recent polls but will now face questions about its vetting procedures and handling of the situation.
What Happens Next
With Smyth now sitting as an independent MSP, Scottish Labour’s representation in Holyrood has been reduced from 23 to 22 members. The party will need to navigate the political fallout while maintaining its focus on opposing the SNP government and preparing for the next Scottish Parliament election.
Police Scotland has confirmed that the 52-year-old will appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date, though no specific date has been set. The nature and extent of the charges will likely become clearer when the case comes before the court.
Smyth is married to Victoria, an English teacher, and they have two daughters, Hannah and Evie. The impact on his family of these serious charges will undoubtedly be significant.
As the legal process unfolds, questions will inevitably be asked about how long party officials knew about the investigation and what steps were taken once they became aware. For now, Scottish Labour has taken the standard approach of suspending the whip pending the outcome of proceedings.
The case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly political careers can unravel when serious criminal allegations emerge. For a politician who once held one of Scottish Labour’s most senior administrative positions and was trusted with frontbench responsibilities, the fall from grace could hardly be more dramatic.
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Image Credit (Shortened):
Colin Smyth MSP at Holyrood (12 Jan 2017) – by Scottish Parliament, licensed under the Open Scottish Parliament Licence, via Wikimedia Commons.
