Holyrood Shocker: Msps Demand Vetting After Colin Smyth Charges

Breaking News: Calls for MSP Vetting Grow Louder

Hey there, darlings, let’s dive into some serious tea straight from Holyrood. Senior politicians are stirring the pot, demanding that Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) undergo mandatory disclosure checks before they can be alone with kids. This fiery debate has erupted in the wake of shocking charges against MSP Colin Smyth, and trust us, it’s got everyone talking.

The push for Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) checks - a standard for anyone working unsupervised with under-18s - comes as a direct response to Smyth’s charges for possessing indecent images of children. It’s a wake-up call for many at the Scottish Parliament, where such vetting isn’t currently required for elected representatives. Could this be the moment Holyrood tightens up its rules?

Former SNP Minister Ash Regan, who famously jumped ship to Alba after clashing with Nicola Sturgeon’s government over gender laws, is leading the charge. She’s calling for a serious rethink, pointing out that MSPs often interact with young interns or host school trips. It’s hard to argue with her logic - safety first, right?

Voices of Concern: Politicians Speak Out

Adding fuel to the fire, Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton isn’t holding back either. He’s been vocal about MSPs not getting a free pass on ‘basic safeguards’ and is shocked that his 2020 push to include MSPs in the PVG scheme was shot down by the SNP, Conservatives, Labour, and Greens. Talk about a missed opportunity!

“It’s simply unacceptable that elected representatives can opt out of checks that anyone else working with vulnerable people must pass. The public deserves better,” Cole-Hamilton passionately told the Record.

Regan agrees, suggesting that a PVG check should be a non-negotiable requirement for getting a Holyrood pass. “The public expects politicians to meet high standards, and I think that’s fair,” she noted. With kids and vulnerable folks often around, shouldn’t this just be common sense?

The Colin Smyth Scandal: What Happened?

Now, let’s get to the heart of this mess, loves. Colin Smyth, a Labour MSP since 2016, was charged on August 5, 2025, with possessing indecent images of children and allegedly placing a secret camera in a Holyrood toilet. Even more jaw-dropping? He reportedly met with a girl guides group at Holyrood just days after being charged, using his parliamentary pass without any immediate repercussions.

MSPs are fuming at Police Scotland for not informing Holyrood of the charges right away - it took nearly two weeks for the police to confirm Smyth’s identity and the nature of the allegations. One MSP called it a delay with ‘very serious questions to answer,’ while another expressed utter confusion over why Parliament wasn’t looped in sooner. Can you feel the tension?

Smyth has since been suspended by Labour and is sitting as an independent while the investigation continues. A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed that a 52-year-old man was arrested and charged after a warrant was executed at a property in Dumfries, with a court appearance pending at Dumfries Sheriff Court. This is one story we’ll be watching closely.

Parliament Responds: Shock and Hurt

The fallout from this scandal has left Holyrood reeling. Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone addressed MSPs, admitting that everyone in the building feels ‘shocked and hurt’ by the allegations, especially the camera claims. “These circumstances are unprecedented for this Parliament,” she said, highlighting the complexity of navigating such a situation.

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson clarified that MSPs are currently responsible for deciding if their activities require PVG clearance. They also noted that all school visits involving an MSP are supervised by either a PVG-checked parliamentary staff member or a school staffer. But is that enough when trust has been so shaken?

As this story unfolds, the call for mandatory vetting is only getting louder. With public safety on the line, will Holyrood finally step up and implement stricter rules? Stick with us, because we’ve got all the updates coming your way, and we’re just as curious as you are to see what happens next.