SUSPENDED Labour MSP Colin Smyth, who has been charged with the possession of indecent images of children, has had a court date set.
Smyth, who is also reportedly facing a second charge linked to a hidden recording device in Holyrood toilets, will appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court on September 24, The Daily Record first reported.
Smyth was first arrested and charged by police after a raid on his home on August 5.
The force failed to inform stakeholders such as Scottish Labour or the Scottish Parliament, and he was able to attend Holyrood with a group of Girl Guides 10 days later, on August 15.
Labour learned of Smyth’s bail conditions on August 18 and suspended him from the party. The media noticed and the charge was first reported two days later, on August 20.
Eight days later, Smyth had his Holyrood security pass blocked after reports that police were now investigating allegations that he had hidden a camera in a toilet on the parliamentary estate.
Reports have 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.”
