THE BBC has failed to report on a former Labour MSP's appearance in court on charges of drink-driving and causing crashes on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
Colin Smyth, former Scottish Labour general secretary and frontbencher, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday morning for a hearing.
The 53-year-old is alleged to have driven dangerously on the city’s High Street and elsewhere on November 2 last year, while at more than double the legal alcohol limit.
It is alleged that after mounting a pavement he narrowly missed a pedestrian and collided with a parked car, while driving at excessive speed.
It is also alleged he crashed into electric bollards directly outside City Chambers, and that he repeatedly got in and out of the vehicle, and revved the engine.
The former MSP is also accused of failing to report the incident to police “as soon as reasonably practicable”.
The case is separate to the allegations of possession of indecent photographs of children and voyeurism – allegedly linked to a camera hidden in Scottish parliament toilets – for which Smyth appeared in court in Dumfries last October.
Smyth arrived at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday dressed in a dark blue suit and green patterned tie.
However, he did not attend the hearing itself, and his solicitor appeared in court on his behalf.
Smyth is next ordained to appear on July 1.
The National has analysed the coverage of Wednesday's court appearance from Scotland's broadcasters and national newspapers and found that at the time of writing, only the BBC and the Scottish Daily Express had failed to report on the hearing taking place.
The National also found no mention of the case on BBC Scotland's Reporting Scotland programme on Wednesday.
BBC Scotland has been contacted for comment.
