A heated altercation over aggressive seagulls has led to the resignation of SNP minister Jamie Hepburn, further damaging the reputation of the Scottish Parliament. The incident, which involved an alleged physical confrontation with former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, has been described as emblematic of a broader crisis at Holyrood.
Hepburn, who quit as Minister for Parliamentary Business, reportedly used “choice words” and placed his hand on Ross’s shoulder during the dispute. Initially backed by First Minister John Swinney, Hepburn’s support quickly evaporated, with commentators noting that Swinney’s endorsement proved to be the “kiss of death”.
The seagull spat is the latest in a series of scandals to hit Holyrood. Former SNP childcare minister Mark MacDonald resigned after an investigation found he caused distress to women and exploited his position of power. He was banned from parliament for a month and now sits as an Independent MSP in a basement office.
In 2020, finance secretary Derek Mackay quit after sending 270 online messages to a 16-year-old boy, including calling him “cute” and inviting him to dinner. Despite not attending parliament for his final 15 months as an MSP, Mackay received a £53,725 resettlement grant from a £2.2 million taxpayer-funded pot shared among 43 departing MSPs.
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, in her memoir Frankly, expressed sympathy for Mackay and described visiting him personally to confirm his resignation on the day of the Scottish Budget. The late Alex Salmond was acquitted of sex charges in 2020 but admitted to a “sleepy cuddle” with a woman, while allegations emerged that female officials were barred from working alone with him at Bute House.
Bill Walker was elected as an SNP MSP in 2011, two years before being convicted of assaulting three ex-wives and a teenage stepdaughter. The party had been warned about him three years earlier, and Walker later claimed a “cover-up” by SNP chiefs. Critics argue that such scandals have made Holyrood a “national joke”, undermining the ideals of its founders and eroding public trust in Scotland’s devolved government.
