MSPs ‘interviewed as part of probe into camera in Holyrood toilet’

Suspended Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth was arrested and charged with “possession of indecent images” last month.

It then emerged that Smyth faces a second charge – over allegations a secret camera was placed inside toilets in the Scottish Parliament.

This led to Holyrood officials ordering a sweep of the estate for any recording devices, which included the parliament’s creche and changing facilities. 

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And now, the Sunday Mail reports that detectives have begun interviewing people who have allegedly been identified in footage found in a Holyrood cubicle.

The newspaper reports that five MSPs, one journalist, and several other staff members have been identified, and that all of those are male. 

It is believed the covert device was concealed in a male bathroom opposite the main Holyrood chamber, which only has two cubicles and is only available for parliamentary pass holders. 

Smyth, 52, released a statement on Friday where he said the allegations came as an “utter shock” and that he “strongly refutes” them.

The Sunday Mail reported that a source said officers were looking to identify those allegedly seen in footage as part of the probe, and that some MSPs had already been interviewed. 

The source claims that between eight and 10 people have been identified by officers so far. 

A spokesperson for the Scottish Parliament said that it wasn’t until three days after Smyth’s arrest that police made them aware of images potentially being taken on the estate. 

They said the identity of the person being investigated was not disclosed and they have no confirmation that the inquiry relating to the covert device relates to Smyth.

Officials have been criticised for taking weeks to revoke Smyth’s access to Holyrood, but authorities say they were not made aware of the charges, in relation to the charge of possession of indecent images, against Smyth until reports appeared in the media.

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Smyth is understood to have visited Holyrood at least once with his constituents after he was charged and before his pass was revoked. 

A spokesperson for the parliament told the Sunday Mail: “On August 8, Police Scotland made the parliamentary authorities aware of images potentially taken at Holyrood. 

“The identity of the person being investigated was not disclosed to us and to date we have no confirmation that these lines of inquiry relate to Mr Smyth.

“Any action the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body takes regarding Mr Smyth must be based on verified information.

“On August 20, the parliamentary authorities became aware of the charges in relation to the possession of indecent images against Mr Smyth when the story appeared in the media. On the ­recommendation of officials, the SPCB took the decision on August 28 to deactivate Mr Smyth’s parliamentary pass.

“This decision was in response to Mr Smyth having been charged with the possession of indecent images.”