The Scottish political landscape was rocked this week as Jamie Hepburn, the Scottish National Party’s Minister for Parliamentary Business, resigned from his government post following accusations of assault and verbal abuse against Conservative MSP Douglas Ross. The incident, which unfolded on September 17, 2025, in the corridors of Holyrood, has prompted fierce debate over ministerial conduct, party accountability, and the standards expected of public officials in Scotland.
The controversy erupted after a heated parliamentary session concerning a planned government summit on nuisance seagulls—a topic that, while seemingly innocuous, became a flashpoint for broader political tensions. Douglas Ross, the former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, had raised concerns about the summit, labeling it a “sham” and “secretive” for its lack of participation from some politicians, the press, and the public. He urged the Scottish Government to postpone the event and instead commit to a "truly open and reflective summit," according to The Scotsman.
It was in the aftermath of this exchange that the confrontation between Hepburn and Ross occurred. As Ross left the chamber, he alleges that Hepburn "grabbed" him, raised his voice, and used foul and abusive language. Speaking to journalists in Holyrood, Ross described the encounter in stark terms: "I was grabbed by Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Parliamentary Business, as I left the chamber. He then started swearing in my face. He continued, as we left the chamber and then there’s a corridor outside. He continued to hold onto me. His grab got stronger and stronger, his words got louder and more aggressive and it was very clear he was getting angrier and angrier and he was struggling to control his anger."
Ross did not mince words about the impact of the incident, stating, "When there is physical violence involved and grabbing someone in that way cannot be described in any other way. I think the ministerial code is very clear. The behaviour that I experienced from the minister is absolutely against what is in the ministerial code. I can see no way that he can continue in his role in government, particularly in a role which means he has to work with MSPs." He also revealed that he felt unable to participate in subsequent debates alongside Hepburn, citing concerns for his own safety.
For his part, Jamie Hepburn offered a candid, if somewhat defensive, account of his actions. While he admitted to putting his hand on Ross’s shoulder and using “choice words,” he firmly denied the accusation of assault or causing physical harm. "I will freely fess up to things I've done, but I won't apologise for things I've not done. So yesterday, yeah, I put my hand on his shoulder and probably used a few choice words I shouldn't have, that's it," Hepburn told reporters. He acknowledged that his language was inappropriate, saying, "I used some words I shouldn't have yesterday. Industrious language, I accept. I shouldn't have done that."
In his resignation letter, Hepburn struck a contrite tone, writing, "This decision is one that I feel is for the best in these circumstances and the one that for my own part feel is the appropriate course of action. Despite whatever annoyance I felt at that particular moment, there is a manner in which that might have been conveyed, or indeed shouldn’t have been conveyed. That is not in utilising the language that I did." He emphasized that his behavior was "quite out of character" and expressed regret that his nearly eleven-year tenure in government was ending under such circumstances. "I do not want to cause any distraction for you or the Government, or indeed to that of the primary position of responsibility I have as the constituency representative for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth. I believe my continued presence as one of your Ministers would do so. In such circumstances I believe it is best that I stand down with immediate effect," he concluded.
First Minister John Swinney responded to the resignation with what ITV News described as "much personal regret," praising Hepburn’s usual standards of courtesy and respect. Swinney wrote, "Despite your decision to step down, you will continue to play an important role in our party and in public life, as well as continuing to be a vocal advocate for the people of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth." Swinney also acknowledged the incident as "one slip in your normal approach of courtesy and respect to all."
Despite Hepburn’s departure, the political fallout continued. Douglas Ross welcomed the resignation and the personal apology he received from Hepburn, but was sharply critical of the government’s handling of the affair. "This issue should have been settled yesterday when the First Minister was made aware of the full facts. Jamie Hepburn admitted behaviour that fell well short of that expected of ministers. Instead, John Swinney backed him and the nationalists were determined to ride this out and endorse that behaviour until I called for the situation to be investigated by the independent advisers on the ministerial code," Ross said in a statement.
Hepburn’s resignation also entitles him to a resettlement grant from the Scottish Parliament, amounting to three months’ salary, or £8,769. His departure marks the end of an extensive ministerial career that began in 2014 and saw him serve in a variety of roles, including Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Minister for Employability and Training, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, and most recently, Minister for Independence before taking on the parliamentary business portfolio in 2024.
The altercation itself, while centered on the relatively mundane issue of a seagull summit, has ignited much larger questions about the tone and conduct of Scottish politics. While Hepburn insisted his actions were out of character and not physically harmful, Ross maintained that the incident constituted "bullying behavior" and a breach of the standards set out in the ministerial code. The episode has also highlighted the pressures and passions that can flare in the heat of parliamentary debate, especially when controversial or high-profile issues are at stake.
The incident has prompted calls from some quarters for greater scrutiny of ministerial behavior and for more robust mechanisms to address complaints swiftly and transparently. Others have noted the deeply personal toll such incidents can take on those involved, as well as the wider implications for public trust in government institutions. As the dust settles, both parties will be eager to refocus attention on the pressing policy matters facing Scotland, but the episode serves as a potent reminder that the personal conduct of those in power remains under intense public scrutiny.
For Jamie Hepburn, the resignation brings an abrupt and regrettable close to more than a decade of ministerial service. For Douglas Ross and his supporters, it represents a necessary assertion of accountability. For the wider Scottish public, the incident is a vivid illustration of the high standards—sometimes imperfectly met—to which their elected officials are held.
