Ross accuses SNP minister of assault in Holyrood row as welfare budget hole emerges

First Minister's Questions at Holyrood opened with a dramatic moment as Conservative leader Douglas Ross accused SNP minister Jamie Hepburn of physically and verbally assaulting him in the chamber. Ross said he left the chamber the previous day and was confronted by Hepburn after pressing questions about a seagull-related issue in Elgin, describing an exchange in which he said Hepburn grabbed his shoulder, swore at him and tightened his grip. The accusation prompted stunned silence among MSPs and onlookers, with Ross asserting that the incident was not a routine parliamentary dispute.

Hepburn denied any physical assault but acknowledged using language he should not have. He said he did not act with physical force and offered no defense for the rhetoric he employed, while Swinney told reporters that he would consider the allegations. The First Minister was not in the chamber to hear the charges when they were raised, and Swinney indicated he would review the claim in due course.

Earlier in the session, Russell Findlay used Audit Scotland’s latest report to challenge the government on welfare spending. He cited an audit finding of a £1.2 billion hole in the welfare budget, calling it an annual deficit that highlighted concerns about managing Social Security Scotland and the structure intended to support vulnerable people. The exchange underscored a broader tension over how welfare programs are funded, administered and protected from error or misuse.

Swinney defended the welfare system, saying it is designed to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable citizens. He argued that the system’s aims should not be overlooked because of concerns about fraud and error, insisting that fraud detection must balance protecting claimants with preventing abuse. He contended that Findlay’s line of questioning could inadvertently portray welfare recipients as targets, and he defended the government’s efforts to safeguard spending while delivering support to those in genuine need.

Jackson Carlaw, another former Tory party leader, injected a bit of parliamentary theater with a quip about Swinney’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., and his relationship with former President Trump. The exchange drew light-hearted laughter from some benches, even as Carlaw teased Swinney about friendship with Trump and the SNP’s broader independence narrative. Swinney responded with a measured retort, noting the need to maintain cordial relations even amid partisan sparring.

In the same session, Anas Sarwar pressed the Labour line, praising Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government and its record on Scotland. Sarwar framed the discussion as part of a broader conversation about the UK’s approach to economic and social policy, seeking to position Labour as a credible partner for Scotland on welfare and public services.

The day’s proceedings also touched on how Ross sought to question Swinney directly about the welfare framework. He reportedly emailed Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone to arrange a direct line of questioning, though he was not called during the 45-minute Q&A window. Swinney indicated he would consider the arrangement, leaving the door open for further parliamentary inquiry.

The incident and the welfare debate marked a day of high political theatre at Holyrood, illustrating the ongoing contest over how Scotland’s welfare programs are funded, administered, and defended in the face of audits, opposition scrutiny and the larger constitutional question surrounding Scotland’s governance.