Scottish politics was rocked this week by the sudden resignation of Jamie Hepburn, the Scottish Government’s parliamentary business minister, following allegations of physical assault and verbal abuse against Conservative MSP Douglas Ross. The incident, which unfolded in the corridors of Holyrood, has shone a spotlight on standards of conduct at the heart of Scottish parliamentary life and sparked fierce debate about accountability, ministerial behavior, and the handling of complaints at the highest levels of government.
The controversy erupted on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, after a heated exchange between Hepburn and Ross over the scheduling of a parliamentary summit on the issue of “out of control” seagulls. According to BBC News, the dispute escalated as members waited to vote on justice reforms, with families of victims of crime watching from the public gallery. Tensions ran high as Ross, the former leader of the Conservatives in Scotland, pressed procedural points, much to the frustration of Scottish National Party (SNP) members.
It was after this vote that the incident occurred. Ross alleges that as they left the chamber, Hepburn “grabbed me on the shoulder and held on to me all the way out of the chamber,” adding, “At the same time, he was continually swearing at me and getting more and more aggressive. He just wouldn’t give up. He lost his temper in a big way and there is no way that behaviour can be tolerated in any workplace.” (Sky News).
Ross made his complaint public at the end of First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, September 18, stating that he had been “physically assaulted and verbally abused” by Hepburn. He called for the matter to be investigated by the Independent Advisers on the Ministerial Code, expressing frustration that the issue was not addressed more decisively when First Minister John Swinney was first made aware of the details. “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,” Ross said (BBC News).
For his part, Hepburn admitted to putting his hand on Ross’s shoulder and using “choice words,” but he firmly denied any physical assault. Speaking to journalists, Hepburn said, “I probably used a few choice words I shouldn’t have. That’s it.” Nonetheless, in his resignation letter to First Minister Swinney on Friday, September 19, Hepburn conceded, “Irrespective of whether or not the Ministerial Code has been breached, even if there had been no complaint made, I believe I have not acted in accordance with my own personal code of practice. There is no denying that my interaction with Douglas Ross fell well short of that standard.” He continued, “Whatever annoyance I felt at that particular moment, there was no excuse for my language. I hope it is recognised on your part and others that this behaviour was quite out of character on my part.”
Hepburn’s resignation was accepted by Swinney with “much personal regret.” The first minister wrote in response, “I know there will be no one more frustrated than you, over this one slip in your normal approach of courtesy and respect to all.” Hepburn explained that his continued presence in government would be a distraction, stating, “In such circumstances I believe it is best that I stand down with immediate effect.”
Ross welcomed the resignation, calling it “the correct decision” and acknowledging that Hepburn had personally apologized to him. However, he remained critical of the initial handling of the complaint by Swinney and the SNP, arguing that their instinct had been to “circle the wagons” around Hepburn and downplay the seriousness of the incident. According to BBC News, some government sources suggested that if ministers were sacked for using strong language, “there would be nobody left,” highlighting a tension between the realities of political life and the standards set out in the ministerial code.
The Scottish Parliament confirmed that there was no CCTV footage of the alleged incident, leaving the matter to be resolved through the competing accounts of those involved and any witnesses present. The ministerial code is clear, however: “Working relationships, including with parliamentary colleagues, should be proper and appropriate,” and “harassing, bullying or other inappropriate or discriminating behaviour, wherever it takes place, is not consistent with the ministerial code and will not be tolerated.”
Jamie Hepburn’s departure marks the end—at least for now—of a significant career in Scottish politics. Hepburn has served as MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth since 2011, holding a variety of junior ministerial posts under Nicola Sturgeon, Humza Yousaf, and John Swinney. His most prominent role was as minister for independence from 2023 to 2024, a position that drew criticism from unionist parties who questioned its very existence. Hepburn was known for attending independence rallies and leading on the publication of key government papers. When Swinney took over as first minister, he abolished the independence post but retained Hepburn in the crucial role of parliamentary business minister, responsible for balancing Holyrood’s legislative timetable and engaging with opposition parties.
Within the SNP, Hepburn is regarded as a popular and respected figure, with many colleagues quick to defend his character. His wife, Julie Hepburn, is also a prominent SNP activist and serves as the party’s head of strategic delivery. Yet, as BBC News notes, the very nature of his ministerial job made his continued presence untenable in the wake of the allegations. With opposition parties poised to seize on the incident at every opportunity, the risk of ongoing political disruption was simply too great.
The episode has also cast a spotlight on the sometimes combative atmosphere within Holyrood. Ross, for his part, has developed a reputation as a persistent and provocative opponent, often sparring with ministers and even the Presiding Officer. Some SNP members felt Hepburn had been goaded into a moment of weakness, but as the dust settles, the consensus across the political spectrum is that standards of conduct must be upheld—regardless of provocation or circumstance.
As Scotland approaches a new parliamentary session and looks ahead to the next election, the episode serves as a stark reminder of the pressures and expectations facing those in public office. While the immediate political fallout may subside with Hepburn’s resignation, the questions raised about accountability, workplace standards, and the culture of debate at Holyrood are likely to linger for some time yet.
For now, Jamie Hepburn’s decision to step down brings a measure of closure to a turbulent chapter, but the reverberations from this incident will continue to shape the tone of Scottish politics in the months to come.
