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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Nick Forbes

Former MSP attends court over drink-driving allegations

Colin Smyth attended Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday (Jane Barlow/PA) - (PA Archive)

A former Labour MSP has attended court over allegations he caused multiple crashes in central Edinburgh while over the drink-drive limit.

Colin Smyth, 53, 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.

Smyth is accused of crashing into electronic bollards outside Edinburgh City Chambers (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Archive)
Smyth is accused of crashing into electronic bollards outside Edinburgh City Chambers (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Archive)

The former MSP is also accused of failing to report the incident to police “as soon as reasonably practicable”.

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.

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