Official complaint made over minister Jamie Hepburn assault claim | UK News

Douglas Ross has written to the first minister to make a formal complaint over his claims to have been physically assaulted by a government minister.

The Scottish Conservative MSP accused Jamie Hepburn of grabbing him and swearing at him as he left the Holyrood chamber on Wednesday.

Hepburn says he put his hand on the former Conservative leader’s shoulder and used some “choice words”.

Ross has now written to John Swinney asking for a formal investigation about whether Hepburn breached the ministerial code, saying the behaviour “falls well below the standards set out” for ministers.

Ross made the allegation at the end of First Minister’s Questions on Thursday.

After leaving the chamber, he told reporters that Hepburn had grabbed him and sworn “in an aggressive manner”.

The Highlands and Islands MSP claimed the incident happened in front of security and other parliamentary staff, after the pair had clashed over the scheduling of a summit to discuss “out of control” seagulls.

The letter from Ross to the first minister says he is raising a formal complaint and asks that Swinney refer the matter to the Independent Advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code.

It says: “As you are now aware, Mr Hepburn engaged in behaviour towards me which included physically grabbing me, raising his voice and using foul and abusive language and there are witnesses to this incident.

“Mr Hepburn has now given an interview where he has not denied key aspects of my account and has indeed corroborated crucial facts.

“I believe his conduct is wholly inconsistent with the standards of behaviour required under the Scottish Ministerial Code.”

Quoting three sections of the code, he adds: “Aggressively grabbing a fellow MSP, raising one’s voice in anger, and using foul and abusive language falls well below the standards set out in these provisions.

“This amounts to bullying behaviour and, in my view, is a clear breach of the Ministerial Code.”

Calling for “swift and transparent action” on the issue, he says: “I fear for other colleagues who may be exposed to this behaviour if Mr Hepburn continues in his position of power within your government.”

The Scottish government has been approached for comment.

Speaking after First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, Swinney told reporters he had only learned of the accusation when Ross raised it in the chamber.

He said he had no “intimate knowledge” of the issue and would consider the claims.

Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone described it as a “very serious allegation” and that it was important that it was “dealt with through the appropriate processes”.

She added: “I expect all members to take their responsibilities under the code of conduct seriously.”

Johnstone said such allegations would typically be investigated initially by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland, an independent watchdog appointed by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said that it did not have CCTV footage of the incident.

This is a tricky one for John Swinney and his government.

On the one hand, there is a temptation within the SNP to circle the wagons around Hepburn.

He is a popular figure within the group, and there are plenty of members willing to defend him on the basis he was provoked by Ross – who frequently seeks to needle and wind up ministers.

One government source has already contended that sacking everyone who has used the f-word would see nobody left standing.

The trouble is that, by his own admission, Hepburn laid hands on another member while using what he described as “industrious” language.

It may prove difficult to square that with the ministerial code’s requirement to treat colleagues with consideration and respect – particularly when Swinney’s whole pitch as first minister was about uniting parliament and working to build bridges.

There are also likely to be countless opportunities for the Conservatives to bring the issue up, given the parliamentary business minister necessarily has quite a bit to do in the Holyrood chamber.

And Ross is clearly in no mood to let the matter lie. He revealed the incident during First Minister’s Questions – the highest profile moment of the week – and has taken the first opportunity to keep the story rolling with this letter.

Swinney will not want to be dogged with questions about this – he will know he needs to come to a firm and final position swiftly.