\n<\/p>\n
Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth has been arrested and charged over possession of indecent images. <\/p>\n
The 52-year-old, who has represented South Scotland since 2016, was arrested at a property in Dumfries earlier this month.<\/p>\n
Smyth has been suspended by Scottish Labour and is now listed as an independent on the parliament website.<\/p>\n
He is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Smyth has held several frontbench roles, most recently in April 2023, and previously served as Scottish Labour’s general secretary. <\/p>\n
His phone was answered but then died when BBC Scotland News first tried to contact him.<\/p>\n
However, Smyth later issued a statement in which he said: “These events have come as a shock and this is a deeply stressful time.<\/p>\n
“I am obviously cooperating fully with any inquiries and hope the matter can be resolved quickly.<\/p>\n
“I am not able to comment further at this stage.”<\/p>\n
A Labour spokesperson said: “The whip has been removed from Colin Smyth MSP, pending an investigation. <\/p>\n
“We cannot comment further on this matter while the investigation is ongoing.”<\/p>\n
It is understood the party suspended Smyth at the weekend when it became aware of the police investigation.<\/p>\n
Smyth was arrested on 5 August. He appeared in a video with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar which was posted on social media two days later, but has since been deleted.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n