Scottish government minister Jamie Hepburn resigns after assault claim

Edinburgh — Jamie Hepburn has resigned as a Scottish government minister after being accused of physically assaulting Conservative MSP Douglas Ross as he left the Holyrood chamber on Wednesday.

Ross said Hepburn grabbed him by the shoulder and swore aggressively during the exchange. Hepburn said he put his hand on the former Scottish Tory leader's shoulder and used some 'choice words'.

Hours after Ross formally complained about the incident in a letter to First Minister John Swinney, Hepburn submitted his resignation. In his resignation letter, Hepburn wrote: "Irrespective of whether the Ministerial Code has been breached, even if there had been no complaint made, I believe I have not acted in accordance with my own personal code of practice. This decision is one that I feel is for the best in these circumstances and the one that for my own part feel is the appropriate course of action."

Swinney accepted Hepburn's resignation with "much personal regret" and said he understood the minister's decision. He added: "I know there will be no one more frustrated than you, over this one slip in your normal approach of courtesy and respect to all." The development removes a sitting minister from the Scottish government amid ongoing scrutiny of conduct and governance in Holyrood. There was no immediate announcement of a successor to Hepburn, nor a timetable for a replacement.

The resignation underscores ongoing tensions within the party and the government regarding public conduct and ministerial accountability. As the story continues to develop, officials said more details would be published as they become available.