SNP minister accused of assault in row over seagull summit, ex-Tory leader says

A senior SNP minister, Jamie Hepburn, has been accused of physically assaulting former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross after a debate at Holyrood over a seagull summit. Ross said he was grabbed on the shoulder by Hepburn as he left the chamber and was shouted and sworn at by him. Ross has demanded that First Minister John Swinney remove Hepburn from the government over what he says is a breach of the Scottish ministerial code. He has reported the incident to the Scottish Parliament authorities and intends to contact police.

Speaking to journalists at Holyrood, Ross described the moment as he left the chamber on Wednesday: he was “grabbed” by Hepburn as he walked out the back and “started swearing in my face.” He said the confrontation occurred in front of MSPs, civil servants and security, and that Hepburn’s language grew louder and angrier. The row, Ross said, focused on the number of statements he was seeking from ministers, a swap of procedural moves that led to the clash. He recalled the minister’s words: “you and your effing statements, so many effing statements, do you think I’ve got effing time for your effing statements?” He added that he believed the dispute could have been resolved if the chamber had more time, noting they “finished early yesterday.”

The Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone, said the allegation was serious and should be dealt with through appropriate processes, while the First Minister’s Office said Swinney, who was away on Thursday, would consider the issues raised. Swinney told reporters he had not been aware of the incident while away and would assess the situation when he returned. Ross said he could not reliably be in the chamber with Hepburn again because he feared how Hepburn would react to any further requests for statements.

Hepburn later acknowledged his role in the confrontation, telling reporters that he regrets the use of “industrial language” but that he did not think he assaulted Ross. He said he “put my hands on his shoulder and used a few words I shouldn’t have,” insisting he would not apologise for things he believes he did not do. He declined to state whether he thought he had breached the ministerial code and would not commit to any specific outcome regarding his position. He also said he should not have used the language and that he does not lose his temper often.

In a brief statement, a First Minister spokesperson said there would be no immediate action to remove Hepburn, declining to comment on whether he would be sacked. The incident has prompted scrutiny of the ministerial code and the standards governing how ministers engage with MSPs and the public. Ross has said he intends to pursue the matter through parliamentary channels and, if necessary, with police, arguing that the behavior he experienced ran counter to the expectations set out for ministers who must work with MSPs.

The row underscores the tensions that can flare during parliamentary sessions, particularly when controversial issues such as the seagull summit—an event that has drawn scrutiny for its planning and possible implications—dominate the agenda. Officials familiar with the matter emphasize that the sequence of events is under review by parliamentary authorities and that the matter will be handled through established procedures. While the immediate political fallout remains to be seen, both sides have signaled a willingness to let due process determine the next steps in addressing the complaint and evaluating any potential breaches of conduct.

As the Scottish Parliament continues its business, observers note that the broader context involves questions about accountability for ministers and how disciplinary steps are applied when alleged misconduct occurs in a public setting. The case also touches on the ongoing debate over language and decorum in the chamber, and how such incidents influence trust in government and in the mechanisms designed to uphold ministerial standards.