Seagull spat underscores Holyrood scrutiny as scandals mount

EDINBURGH — A seagull spat in the Scottish Parliament chamber became a focal point of political controversy as SNP minister Jamie Hepburn resigned after a heated exchange with Douglas Ross. Hepburn, the minister for parliamentary business, said he touched Ross on the shoulder during the confrontation and used strong language. His party initially backed him, a stance that drew criticism and preceded his departure. The episode underscored persistent questions about the seriousness and conduct of Holyrood.

Support for Hepburn's resignation came amid a broader narrative of misconduct within Holyrood. The Parliament has seen past ministers step down under scrutiny, including Mark MacDonald, who resigned after an investigation found he caused distress to women and misused his position; he was banned from Holyrood for a month and later returned to work as an Independent MSP in a basement office. In 2020 Derek Mackay resigned as finance secretary after revelations that he sent hundreds of messages to a 16-year-old, including some asking to meet for dinner. He was among 43 departing MSPs who shared a taxpayer-funded pot of about £2.2 million when leaving Holyrood in 2021, receiving a resettlement grant of more than £53,000. In her memoir, former first minister Nicola Sturgeon writes that she felt sympathy for Mackay but chose not to press him in her office, instead allowing the public process to run its course. The controversy around former first minister Alex Salmond also left a lasting impact, with a 2020 trial clearing him of sex charges but revealing conduct that damaged his standing; a civil servant testified that officials were advised to limit evening meetings with Salmond at Bute House, though Salmond denied knowledge of any policy.

Beyond these high-profile cases, Holyrood has faced questions about vetting and accountability. Bill Walker, elected as an SNP MSP for Dunfermline in 2011, was later convicted of assaulting three ex-wives and his teenage stepdaughter; the party has said it warned about him before he stood as a candidate, a claim disputed by some. Meanwhile, Math Campbell-Sturgess, a SNP candidate for Dumbarton, withdrew after it emerged that he had links to an online swingers site; he remains a councillor in Argyll and Bute. These episodes, along with reports that nearly a third of MSPs will not seek re-election next year, have fueled talk of a significant turnover and a needed reform of candidate vetting.

Analysts and former lawmakers have offered pointed assessments of Holyrood. Adam Tomkins, a constitutional law scholar who briefly entered front-line politics, told the Sunday Times that Scottish politics tends to promote mediocrity and keeps talent on the sidelines. While supporters say the Parliament remains essential to Scotland’s governance, critics contend that the culture and vetting processes must improve to restore public trust. If the institution does not confront these issues, observers warn, Holyrood risks an existential crisis as confidence erodes and some voters conclude the parliament is a lost cause despite its constitutional importance.

With elections ahead and a renewed focus on ethics, observers will be watching whether Holyrood can rebuild credibility or whether public disillusionment grows. The seagull episode is likely to be remembered as a symbol of the broader challenges facing the Parliament, challenges that will shape voter sentiment and the composition of the next session.