SNP minister accused of assault in row over seagull summit

A senior SNP minister was accused of physically assaulting former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross after a parliamentary debate on a seagull summit. Ross said Jamie Hepburn grabbed his shoulder as he left the chamber, then shouted and swore at him, and he has reported the incident to the Scottish Parliament’s chief executive and said he intends to contact police.

The dispute arose during a late-Thursday session of First Minister’s Questions after Ross used a parliamentary procedure to demand a ministerial statement on concerns about the upcoming summit. Ross told reporters that as he left the chamber on Wednesday, Hepburn “grabbed” him and began swearing in his face, continuing to hold onto him as others watched. He described the minister’s language as “you and your effing statements, so many effing statements, do you think I’ve got effing time for your effing statements?” He said the confrontation occurred in front of MSPs, civil servants and security staff and warned that he could no longer be in the chamber near Hepburn because of the risk of a repeat outburst.

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Ross said the confrontation happened in front of MSPs, Scottish Government civil servants, security and other parliamentary staff, and he has reported it to the Scottish Parliament chief executive. He argued that the ministerial code is clear and that the behavior he experienced is not tolerable for someone who has to work with MSPs. “The ministerial code is very clear, I looked at that this morning when I received a response from the parliament chief executive,” he said. “There is no way he can continue in his role in government, particularly in a role which means he has to work with MSPs.” He added that he was now unable to be in the chamber with Hepburn because he would worry about a repeat reaction.

Asked if he was hurt, Ross said yes, and noted that being grabbed while trying to leave the chamber “hurts.” He emphasized that witnesses in the chamber—fellow MSPs, civil servants and security—saw what happened and that Swinney cannot tolerate it when he returns to the chamber. Ross called on the First Minister to address the matter publicly and to state whether there is a zero-tolerance approach to threatening and intimidating behavior by ministers.

Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone addressed the allegations when Ross raised them in the chamber, saying, “This is a very serious allegation and it is important that it is dealt with through the appropriate processes. I expect all members to take their responsibilities under the code of conduct seriously.”

Speaking after FMQs, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the matter was the first he had heard of it and that he would consider the issues raised. “It’s the first I’ve heard about it. Obviously I was away yesterday so I don’t have any knowledge about it,” Swinney said. He added that he would now “consider these issues.”

Hepburn later acknowledged the incident, telling reporters that he regrets using “industrial language” but rejected the claim of assault. He said he “put my hand on his shoulder and used a few words I shouldn’t have,” and insisted he did not threaten Ross. Asked whether he believed he breached the ministerial code, Hepburn declined to comment further, and he would not say whether he would be sacked if found in breach.

A spokesman for the First Minister said there had been no decision to remove Hepburn from his post, saying simply, “No.” Hepburn insisted he should have kept his cool and said he does not routinely lose his temper.

The incident unfolded amid a broader dispute over the timing and scope of statements from ministers on the seagull summit. Ross said he was seeking clarity and accountability on the issue, arguing that ministers should be subject to robust scrutiny. The matter has now been referred to the Parliament’s chief executive for the appropriate processes under the code of conduct, and police authorities may be contacted if warranted by the inquiry.

In the hours after the incident, observers noted that the episode raised questions about decorum and the handling of ministerial conduct within the Scottish Government. While officials emphasized that the investigation will proceed through established channels, the episode underscored ongoing tensions between the government and the opposition over legislative scrutiny and the management of the chamber environment. The seagull-summit topic continues to feature prominently in parliamentary questions, with both sides promising to pursue accountability and transparency as the inquiry develops.