Jamie Hepburn resigns from Scottish Government over Douglas Ross row

Jamie Hepburn MSP has quit the Scottish Government after Douglas Ross accused him of assault.

Allies rallied round Hepburn after Ross said he had verbally abused him and grabbed him by the shoulder after leaving the chamber on Wednesday.

First Minister John Swinney said he would look into the matter after Ross raised it at FMQs yesterday.

Now Hepburn has resigned from the key role of Minister for Parliamentary Business. A replacement has not yet been named.

In a letter to Swinney, Hepburn said: “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.”

Ross made a formal complaint to police over the matter and sought a referral to the Independent Advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Hepburn acknowledged he had used some “choice words” during an interaction with Ross after the pair clashed in the chamber about the scheduling of a summit about seagulls, but denied anything more than that.

However, former football linesman Ross said Hepburn had hurt him and he was fearful of returning to the chamber in the SNP MSP's presence.

In his letter to Swinney, Hepburn, who has held four previous ministerial posts,  wrote: “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. 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.

“I hope it would be felt by most, and not least you, that in my personal and professional undertakings I have always tried to act courteously in interacting with colleagues, either of our own party or others. There is no denying that my interaction with Douglas Ross fell well short of that standard. 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. I hope it is recognised on your part and others that this behaviour was quite out of character on my part.”

He went on: “With no sense of personal pity, having served continuously in government for almost eleven years it is a source of regret that my tenure in ministerial office comes to an end in this fashion. In the immediate period it will be the greater part of what is reported out of my time in office, but I hope it is felt that I have made a positive contribution across the various roles I have held serving in your government and that of your two predecessors. Others will of course be the judge of that.”

Swinney said he accepted Hepburn's resignation “with much personal regret”. In a letter, he wrote: “I am deeply grateful for your efforts on behalf of the government, where you have always worked across parliament in accommodating the requests and views of other parties over the matters that should command the time and attention of the chamber. 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.

“I know that my predecessors also valued the contributions that you made in their governments. Your work in delivering the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 while a health minister has made a real difference in the lives of carers, and the people they care for. While business minister you championed support for consumers and were instrumental in the establishment of Consumer Scotland.

“As we progress toward independence, I appreciate the work that you carried out as minister for independence to make the case for a better future for our nation. And during the Covid pandemic, I recall our work together in supporting the business sector and your efforts to support the recovery in higher and further education during your time in the education portfolio.

“Your efforts as a minister have benefited the people of Scotland in myriad walks of life. 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.

“You leave office with my warmest thanks and my appreciation for the constant support that you have given to me.”