SNP minister resigns after seagull clash: Hepburn quits amid assault claims

A Scottish Government minister has resigned as parliamentary business minister at Holyrood after claims that he assaulted and verbally abused a Tory MSP in a clash that followed a motion about timetabling and a seagull summit. Jamie Hepburn rejected that he was physical but acknowledged using 'choice words' during the exchange with Douglas Ross, the former Scottish Conservative leader. In a resignation letter to First Minister John Swinney, Hepburn said he did not want to become a distraction to the SNP-led government and that stepping down with immediate effect was in the best interests of the administration.

The confrontation arose after Ross spoke on timetabling in the Holyrood chamber, calling for a ministerial statement on a summit about aggressive seagulls. Ross had written to Swinney on Thursday accusing Hepburn of breaching four provisions of the ministerial code, which requires ministers to maintain high standards of behaviour and to avoid poor conduct. The documents Ross cited describe that harassing, bullying or other inappropriate or discriminating behaviour will not be tolerated, and state that aggressively grabbing a fellow MSP, raising one's voice in anger, and using foul and abusive language falls well below the standards expected. Rossi’s letter framed the incident as a potential breach of the ministerial code and urged immediate steps to investigate.

In a separate note, Hepburn told Swinney that he did not want to become a distraction to the government. 'I believe my continued presence as one of your ministers would do so,' he wrote. 'In such circumstances I believe it is best that I stand down with immediate effect.' He added that it was a source of regret to see his 11 years as a minister end because of the incident with Mr Ross.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said officers had spoken with Mr Ross, but no complaint had been made and suitable advice had been given.