Former Scottish Tory chief Douglas Ross has accused a authorities minister of assaulting and verbally abusing him at Holyrood.
Mr Ross made the allegation in opposition to parliamentary enterprise minister Jamie Hepburn on the finish of First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) on Thursday.
The alleged incident has not been reported to Police Scotland, however Mr Ross intends to talk with parliamentary police.
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Mr Ross talking to journalists on Thursday. Pic: PA
Addressing First Minister John Swinney, Mr Ross claimed he had been “physically assaulted and verbally abused” by Mr Hepburn on Wednesday.
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MSP Jamie Hepburn, proper, with Colin McAllister, the Scottish authorities’s chief of workers. Pic: PA
Chatting with journalists, Mr Hepburn admitted that he put his hand on Mr Ross’ shoulder and “probably used a few choice words I shouldn’t have”.
He added: “That’s it.”
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Mr Hepburn, centre, minister for parliamentary enterprise. Pic: PA
In an announcement earlier, Mr Ross mentioned: “The minister grabbed me on the shoulder and held on to me all the way out of the chamber.
“On the similar time he was regularly swearing at me and getting an increasing number of aggressive. He simply would not quit.
“He lost his temper in a big way and there is no way that behaviour can be tolerated in any workplace.
“Jamie Hepburn has an obligation to take heed to members and reply to them – that’s his position as parliamentary enterprise [minister].
“However, it seems that if he disagrees with you he resorts to violent, threatening and intimidating behaviour.
“Given the seriousness of the incident and having alerted parliamentary officers yesterday afternoon, I felt it was proper to additionally increase it with the primary minister.”
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Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, First Minister John Swinney and Mr Hepburn. Pic: PA
Mr Ross, who served as chief of the Scottish Conservatives from 2020 till 2024 and is the MSP for the Highlands and Islands, famous that Mr Hepburn was absent from the chamber as he questioned whether or not Mr Swinney can be making an announcement regarding the allegation.
The primary minister, who was in Windsor on Wednesday for the state banquet held for US President Donald Trump, instructed journalists after FMQs: “It’s the first I’ve heard about it. Obviously, I was away yesterday so I don’t have any knowledge about it.”
Mr Swinney added that he would “consider these issues”.
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Mr Swinney throughout FMQs on Thursday. Pic: PA
“I expect all members to take their responsibilities under the code of conduct seriously.”
Mr Hepburn, MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, has held quite a few roles inside the Scottish authorities, and was most just lately minister for independence from 2023 till 2024.
Requested why he misplaced his mood, Mr Hepburn mentioned: “I think everyone knows the context. I was speaking to a business motion after we had just agreed landmark legislation to improve the experience for victims and witnesses yesterday.
“I feel he spoke to the enterprise movement in a means that he should not have, however I recognise I ought to have stored my cool and never used the phrases I should not have.”
When asked if he would apologise to Mr Ross, Mr Hepburn said he would “freely converse to him” if he wished.
The Scottish parliament said there was no CCTV footage of the alleged incident.
A spokesperson said: “The parliament takes a zero-tolerance method to bullying and harassment and any allegations of criminality ought to be reported on to the police.
“As the presiding officer said in the chamber, this is a very serious allegation and it is important that it is dealt with through the appropriate processes.”
The Scottish authorities has been contacted for remark.
