Scottish minister Jamie Hepburn has resigned after an altercation with former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, who accused him of assault. The incident occurred outside the parliament chamber on Wednesday following a row over the government's response to gull attacks.
Hepburn, the minister for parliamentary business, denied the assault but admitted using aggressive language. Ross alleged Hepburn grabbed him by the shoulder and subjected him to verbal abuse after Ross challenged him over the SNP's apparent failure to tackle gull attacks in his region. An unnamed MSP from another party supported Ross's account.
In his resignation letter, Hepburn acknowledged his behaviour was inappropriate and out of character. He stated: 'Irrespective of whether or not the ministerial code has been breached... I believe I have not acted in accordance with my own personal code of practice.' He added that his interaction with Ross 'fell well short of that standard.'
First Minister John Swinney initially defended Hepburn, who is widely liked within the SNP and respected by opponents. However, after Hepburn's resignation, Swinney accepted it with 'much personal regret,' praising Hepburn's usual courtesy and respect. Ross said Swinney should have sacked Hepburn immediately.
Resignations by SNP ministers over matters of honour are rare. Previous forced resignations include former health secretary Michael Matheson, who quit after a parliamentary probe into an £11,000 iPad bill.
