{"id":398718,"date":"2025-09-05T01:31:22","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T01:31:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/398718\/"},"modified":"2025-09-05T01:31:22","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T01:31:22","slug":"parliament-in-new-sleaze-storm-over-claims-msp-sent-x-rated-pictures-to-young-assistant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/398718\/","title":{"rendered":"Parliament in new sleaze storm over claims MSP &#8220;sent X-rated pictures to young assistant&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Daily Record can reveal the senior politician used the gay dating app Grindr to connect with Holyrood staff.<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_JS379705237.jpg\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>A senior politician used the gay dating app Grindr to connect with Holyrood staff<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Scottish Parliament faces a new sleaze storm over claims no action was taken after an MSP sent sexual pictures of himself to a young assistant in the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/scottish-parliament\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Holyrood<\/a> building.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Daily Record can reveal the senior politician used the gay dating app <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/uk-world-news\/teenager-stabbed-man-met-grindr-32686133\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Grindr<\/a> to connect with Holyrood staff.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He brazenly sent one young male worker images of his own private parts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The worker reported it to the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/scottish-parliament-building\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Scottish Parliament<\/a> HR department but the married MSP was allowed to carry on with day-to-day duties and behaved as though nothing had happened.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The complainer has now told the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Daily Record<\/a> he is unaware of any action being taken.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The man, who asked not to be named, said: \u201cThe photos were worse than creepy, they were obscene.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cHe was targeting people in the building. There was a faceless profile lurking on gay staff members\u2019 Grindr profiles, it ended up being him. He was operating in a close radius, which was revealed in the app.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI was amazed he started off anonymous then very quickly be so open and reveal his face at the same time he sent naked, extreme pornographic stuff.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI wasn\u2019t aware of him even being spoken to. I felt it was brushed under the carpet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_JS233773993.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>The Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh(Image: PA)<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_WACOMMUNITYQR3.jpg\" alt=\"\"  \/>Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">You&#8217;ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">All you have to do is <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/BZamc48XMaoEqKkIN7GWxV\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">click here if you&#8217;re on mobile<\/strong><\/a>, select &#8216;Join Community&#8217; and you&#8217;re in!<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">If you&#8217;re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click &#8216;Join Community&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose &#8216;exit group&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">If you\u2019re curious, you can read our <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/privacy-notice\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Daily Record has spoken to several men who viewed the photos of the naked MSP in obscene poses \u2013 with his face in full view. The complainer, who was shocked by the graphic content, reported the MSP in 2018.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The ex parliamentary assistant said: \u201cI got a ping from an unknown profile \u2013 but he knew it was me as he mentioned my first name.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cMy profile only had my initials. I had an initial conversation and knew it was someone nearby. He would have known how close people he was contacting were, within a few yards. The next thing a picture came through. The images are burned on my brain.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cHe was in an aroused state and naked. I could see his face. Some were worse. He went from zero to 10 with graphic content in just a few messages.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The victim discussed the episode with his employer, a prominent MSP, at the time. He also showed the images to work friends. He claims other gay parliamentary assistants received similar approaches via Grindr from the MSP.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: \u201cMy MSP pushed me to out him. I was in discussions with HR. The right thing to do would be a formal complaint. But I knew he had children. I didn\u2019t want them to be put through that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He added: \u201cI am aware of another colleague who did raise it with their MSP.\u201d The victim said he flagged the conduct to HR and was told they would speak to the MSP\u2019s business manager. The source said there was \u201cno chance\u201d the MSP\u2019s actions would not have reached party bosses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: \u201cI refuse to believe they wouldn\u2019t have known, given how brazen he was.\u201d A friend, who the victim confided in at the time of the photos being sent, said: \u201cThe MSP walked past while we were having lunch. He waved over and I knew from my friend\u2019s reaction he was uncomfortable.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI saw the photos. I couldn\u2019t believe how brazen they were, proper X-rated and offensive.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThe lingering thoughts I had were about him getting off with it. He was a married man in a position of power very explicitly targeting younger men in junior positions. He should have been stopped in his tracks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The revelations come after Labour MSP <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/politics\/court-date-set-msp-charged-35850006\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Colin Smyth<\/a> was charged with sex offences, incl-uding possession of child porn images and placing a secret camera in Holyrood toilets. His Holyrood pass was only deactivated on the day the Record revealed he had been charged over the camera claims.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We also revealed Smyth met a <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/politics\/msp-colin-smyth-met-girl-35828648\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Girl Guides<\/a> group at Holyrood after being charged with possession of sexual images of kids.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">After the claims against Smyth, Holyrood\u2019s Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone told MSPs she was \u201cabsolutely appalled\u201d as she sought to address concerns.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Scottish Parliament said: \u201cAnyone contacting the HR Team regarding harassment is signposted to information on how to make a complaint. In every case, our team proactively follows up with individuals until a conclusion is reached. All complaints are investigated independently of Parliament.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Daily Record can reveal the senior politician used the gay dating app Grindr to connect with Holyrood&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":398719,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4],"tags":[12,17038,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-398718","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uk","8":"category-united-kingdom","9":"tag-news","10":"tag-scottish-parliament","11":"tag-uk","12":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115149110448555470","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/398718","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=398718"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/398718\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/398719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=398718"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=398718"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=398718"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}