SCOTTISH Labour MSP Colin Smyth has been suspended by the party after being charged in connection with possession of "indecent images".
The South Scotland MSP has represented Labour since 2016 but is now listed as an independent on the Scottish Parliament website after having the whip removed.
Police Scotland has said he is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date.
Who is Colin Smyth?
Smyth, 52, has represented the South Scotland region for nine years and previously served as Scottish Labour's general secretary from 2008 to 2012.
He was raised in Dumfries and worked as a modern studies teacher prior to entering politics. He has two daughters.
In 2007 he was elected to Dumfries and Galloway Council, representing the Nith ward and was re-elected to the position in 2012. He became chair of the planning committee as part of a Labour/SNP coalition in October 2013.
He was elected in 2016 to the Scottish Parliament and served as Scottish Labour spokesperson for transport, infrastructure and connectivity under Richard Leonard from 2017 to 2021.
Under Anas Sarwar in 2021, he was appointed spokesperson for constitution, Europe and external affairs. Smyth had contested the Dumfriesshire seat in that year but was returned as a regional list member.
Smyth had been selected to stand in the Dumfriesshire constituency for Scottish Labour again in the 2026 elections.
The MSP has introduced significant legislation, such as the Commissioner for Older People (Scotland) Bill, aimed at establishing an independent advocate for older people's rights.
He was also central to securing a debate in the Scottish Parliament on the physical, mental, and sexual abuse of women at Fornethy House in Angus.
He backed the UK Government’s decision to introduce means-testing for the Winter Fuel Payment, voting in the Scottish Parliament against calls to reverse the decision.
