Hepburn apologises to MSPs and resigns as Scottish Parliamentary Business Minister after allegations

An SNP minister, Jamie Hepburn, resigned as Parliamentary Business Minister after being accused of physical assault and verbal abuse, with the disclosure setting off a renewed debate over conduct in Holyrood. In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Hepburn apologised to Douglas Ross, the First Minister, and the Presiding Officer, while telling MSPs that his conduct fell far short of what is expected in the chamber and describing it as a lapse that he deeply regrets.

Hepburn told MSPs that he had apologised directly to Ross and reiterated that apology to the First Minister, and that he also wished to apologise to the parliament and to all colleagues. In a point of order at the start of business, the Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone, thanked him for his remarks and urged members to uphold the chamber's code of conduct. John Swinney, the Deputy First Minister, later emphasised that Hepburn’s resignation and his public apology reflected the seriousness with which the government was treating the episode and the path forward.

The sequence of events unfolded last Wednesday when Douglas Ross used a parliamentary procedure to demand a ministerial statement on concerns about an upcoming seagull summit, which he branded a “sham.” Ross’s action preceded the allegation that Hepburn had grabbed his shoulder, restrained him briefly, and shouted and swore at him. The incident sparked weeks of pressure on the government, with calls for an independent investigation into whether the ministerial code had been breached and a threat from Ross to escalate complaints to the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life and the police if action was not taken.

As the controversy intensified, Mr Swinney led a debate and vote on the appointment of Graeme Dey as Hepburn’s successor in the role of Parliamentary Business Minister, with Ben Macpherson named as Higher and Further Education Minister. Swinney said Hepburn did not behave as he believed he should have in parliament the week before and that Hepburn’s resignation, coupled with his apology to Parliament, demonstrated the strength of character he brings to public service. Dey’s appointment was framed as a move to secure experience and a track record of finding common ground to carry forward the business of this parliamentary session.

The First Minister opted against removing Hepburn from office in the short term, citing the importance of a full, independent review of the ministerial code and of due process. The decision reflected a balance between accountability and the need to maintain government operations while the investigation proceeds. The government has said the inquiry would be independent and thorough, although it did not specify a timeline for its completion.

Observers note that the episode highlights ongoing tensions within Holyrood about decorum and the expectations of ministers in a highly scrutinised political environment. The incident, which occurred amid a broader row over a parliamentary agenda and a symbolic seagull summit, underscores the sensitivity of interpersonal conduct in the chamber, particularly when members are under intense political pressure. While Hepburn’s resignation has removed him from his post, his apology and the new appointments aim to restore a measure of stability and ensure that parliamentary business can proceed while the independent review unfolds.