A SCOTTISH Labour MSP facing charges linked to alleged hidden recording devices in Holyrood toilets was allowed to visit the parliamentary estate with a group of Girl Guides after being arrested.
Colin Smyth, who represents the South of Scotland, was arrested and charged with “in connection with possession of indecent images” on August 5, according to Police Scotland.
It is understood that Scottish Labour first heard the MSP was facing a police investigation on August 18 after learning of his bail conditions.
The party and Scottish Parliament then learned of the true charges on August 20 when they were reported in the media, it is understood.
On August 15, Smyth was able to visit the Scottish Parliament estate with a group of Girl Guides, the Daily Record first reported.
On August 28, news broke that he was facing a second charge in connection with an alleged hidden recording device in a Holyrood toilet, and his security pass was revoked as a result.
A spokesperson for Girlguiding told the Record: “Girls' safety and wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do in guiding. We are aware that an MSP has been charged by Police Scotland.
“The MSP was present during a visit by Rangers and Young Leaders to the Scottish Parliament in August. Girlguiding has robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place, and no girls were affected.
“We cannot comment further on an ongoing police investigation.”
Rangers are aged 14-18, while Young Leaders are aged 14-17, according to the Girl Guides website.
A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “Any visit to Holyrood on 15 August was not part of a Parliament-arranged programme.
“The Parliamentary authorities became aware of the charges in relation to Mr Smyth on 20 August.
“As a live police investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for us to comment any further.”
Police Scotland on Monday declined to answer when asked why no stakeholders, such as Scottish Labour or the Scottish Parliament, had been informed of Smyth’s charges.
In wake of the news of the Girl Guides’ visit, the force has again been asked if it will address the delay.
Alba MSP Ash Regan said: “Everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence, but the fact that Colin Smyth hosted a group of girl guides in Parliament nearly two weeks after being arrested and charged with possessing indecent images of children is staggering.
"This raises profound safeguarding questions about why decisive measures were not taken immediately. Safeguarding must come before everything else.”
Smyth was due to face removal from his position as convener of Holyrood’s economy committee at a meeting on Tuesday morning. However, he resigned his place on Monday instead.
MSPs have called on Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone to make a statement to parliament about the allegations of a hidden camera in the Holyrood toilets.
Reports over the weekend said that at least five MSPs and one journalist were believed to have been contacted by police after being secretly recorded.
Smyth has "strongly" rejected allegations he put a hidden camera in Holyrood toilets, saying the claims came "as an utter shock".
Following his charge for possession of indecent images, Smyth 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.”
