ANAS Sarwar has address the sexual offence allegations against one of his party’s MSPs.
Colin Smyth was suspended by Labour and now sits as an independent after he was arrested and charged in connection with the possession of “indecent images” on August 5. It later emerged that he also faces a charge of hiding recording equipment in Scottish Parliament toilets.
It is understood that Scottish Labour suspended Smyth on August 18 after becoming aware of his bail conditions, though not the details of the allegations. The media first reported the charge on August 20, and the Scottish Parliament revoked his security pass on August 28.
Reports have said that Smyth accessed the parliamentary estate in the period between first being charged and it becoming public knowledge.
It is understood that Scottish Labour believe there was a “delay” in the police informing stakeholders of Smyth’s charge.
Sarwar told media in Glasgow on Monday that his party had become aware of the “nature of the allegations” before it became public knowledge on August 20.
“We later became aware that he was charged, but he'd already been suspended at that point,” Sarwar said.
“We suspended him the same day we became aware of the seriousness of the allegations.”
Sarwar denied that he or Scottish Labour had ever previously been told of concerns about Smyth’s behaviour.
He said it was "pretty obvious" that Smyth should be removed as convener of Holyrood's economy committee, a motion on which will go before MSPs on the committee on Tuesday.
“As soon as we became aware of the seriousness of the allegations, Colin Smyth was suspended. He now sits as an independent MSP.
“This is of course an ongoing investigation, so it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on any questions about the parliament or the actions of the Parliament.”
Asked if he or any other Labour MSPs had been interviewed by police, Sarwar said: “The answer, as far as my knowledge, is no. I've certainly not.”
Smyth has denied claims that he placed a camera in a Holyrood toilet, saying the allegation came "as an utter shock and one I strongly refute”.
"For legal reasons, I can't respond to specific matters or speculation, and I appreciate there is a process to go through which I am, of course, fully cooperating with. But I sincerely hope it can be concluded quickly and fairly,” he went on.
"The speculation, and the recent decision by the police to publicly release details of their ongoing inquiries along with my home address has been devastating and has taken a serious toll on my health.
"After my address was published with no warning to my family, I felt I had no choice but to move away to protect them. That has also meant losing the local NHS critical support I had been receiving for the past few weeks, making an already difficult time even more distressing.
"I would therefore ask that the privacy of myself, but above all my family and friends, is respected while this matter is resolved. Having this hanging over them is especially overwhelming."
On August 20, after news that he had been charged in connection with indecent images, he had 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.”
Police Scotland said due to the live proceedings it would not be appropriate to comment on the apparent delay on informing stakeholders of Smyth's charges.
A spokesperson said: "On Tuesday, 5 August, 2025, officers executed a warrant at a property in Dumfries and a 52-year-old man was arrested and charged as part of an ongoing investigation.
"He is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date."
