EXCLUSIVE: Former SNP minister Ash Regan said people’s sense of dignity had been knocked after MSP Colin Smyth was charged.
The camera was hidden in the Scottish Parliament.(Image: Getty Images)
A senior MSP has said Holyrood staff have been scared to go to the toilet after claims of a hidden camera in a Parliament loo.
Ash Regan said workers have been “looking around the walls” for signs of a hidden device after MSP Colin Smyth was charged.
She said the allegations had been “very damaging” to people’s “privacy and dignity”.
The Record revealed last week that Smyth had been charged in connection with a hidden camera in a Parliament toilet.
The South Scotland MSP, who has had his pass deactivated by Holyrood bosses, has also been charged with possession of indecent images of children.
READ MORE: MSPs should ‘go through vetting’ to be alone with kids after Colin Smyth chargesREAD MORE: MSP Colin Smyth met girl guides group at Holyrood after indecent images of kids charges
Regan, who was an SNP Minister under Nicola Sturgeon before joining Alba, said staffers in the building are uneasy about using the toilets.
The Edinburgh Eastern MSP said: “Every single staff member I have spoken to are all sitting in the toilets looking around the walls now, because I suppose people think if cameras have potentially been in some toilets, they could be in all toilets.
“This has had a very damaging effect on people’s sense of safety, privacy and dignity.”
A police sweep last week found no camera, but Regan said: “There should be regular sweeps of parliament toilets.”
Two Holyrood staffers also told the Herald they were unsettled by the claims:
“We found out about this through tweets from journalists,” one source said. “The world found out probably before people in this building even knew.”
“I would like a clear statement from parliament,” the staffer added. “There’s just so much uncertainty.”
Another staff member said: “Uncertainty is a big thing. I just want reassurance for all the building users that this won’t happen again and that everything that can be shared has been shared fully with staff.”
Ash Regan MSP(Image: REACH PLC)
An hour after we broke the story, Parliament chief executive David McGill offered “confidential support services” and counselling to building users.
It was revealed over the weekend that at least five MSPs had been interviewed as potential victims in the spycam case.
In a statement this week, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone said: “Not a single person in Parliament is unaffected, and you’ll be aware that the corporate body met this morning and following that meeting a detailed note has been provided to party groups to individual members and to staff, and I just wish to take this opportunity to reiterate a number of points to the chamber.
“I’m absolutely appalled that anyone would have to face a situation like this in Parliament or indeed in any workplace or in any other environment.
“We all feel shocked and hurt at the recent allegations relating to an elected member and reports of an invasion, a shocking invasion of privacy. The safety and welfare of everyone who works in this building is our priority.
“These circumstances are unprecedented for this Parliament, and it has been and continues to be a highly complex situation to navigate.
“There is an ongoing live criminal investigation – the information available to the Parliament at different stages has, therefore, necessarily been limited, and parliamentary authorities do not have confirmation of any investigation details, and if further information is confirmed or verified we will share this.”
Smyth, who has been suspended by Labour, denies the claims.
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