DOUGLAS Ross has lodged a formal complaint with First Minister John Swinney after an alleged altercation with an SNP minister.
On Thursday, the former Scottish Tory raised a point of order at the end of FMQs accusing Jamie Hepburn, the minister for parliamentary business, of physical assault and verbal abuse after a row over a seagull summit the day before.
Hepburn denied that he had hurt Ross during the incident, but admitted he put his hand on his shoulder and used “industrious language”.
"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 journalists on Thursday.
And now, Ross has written to the First Minister making a formal complaint over Hepburn’s conduct under the ministerial code.
“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,” Ross wrote in his letter to Swinney.
“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.”
Ross claimed that Hepburn had breached various parts of the code, such as “maintaining high standards of behaviour” and treating others with respect and “challenge poor behaviour rather than engage in it”.
He claimed that Hepburn had also breached the code’s requirement to be “professional in all their dealings” and that he had not abided by the Code of Conduct “which prohibits bullying, harassment, or other inappropriate behaviour”.
Ross added: “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.
“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 Highlands and Islands MSP called on Swinney to take “immediate steps” to investigate the incident and whether or not Hepburn had broken the ministerial code.
Following Ross’s point of order on Thursday, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone said that it was a matter for the First Minister under the ministerial code.
“Given the seriousness of the behaviour, the public nature of the incident, Mr Hepburn's lack of denial of key aspects of the incident and the Ministerial Code's zero tolerance policy, I believe swift and transparent action is required to uphold confidence in the standards expected of Ministers,” Ross ended the letter.
Swinney told journalists in Holyrood that he was not aware of the allegations until Ross made his point of order. He was in Windsor on Wednesday for the state banquet held for US President Donald Trump. He said he would “consider these issues” when pressed.
Asked to respond to claims by Ross that he "hurt him with his grip", Hepburn told journalists in Holyrood: "I put my hand on his shoulder and had a few choice words with him, that’s it."
During the alleged incident, the minister reportedly told Ross "you and your f****** statements, so many f****** statements, too many f****** statements", in regards to the Tory MSP's calls for a summit on seagulls to be suspended and the issue debated in Holyrood again.
Pressed on whether that was "threatening behaviour", Hepburn admitted he used "industrious language".
"I accept I shouldn't have done that," he said, adding that he should have “kept his cool” after the pair clashed in the Chamber over an upcoming seagull summit.
Hepburn did not respond when asked if he would resign from his ministerial role.
Ross reported the issue to the Scottish Parliament’s chief executive and later spoke to police.
A Police Scotland spokesperson told the Daily Record: "Officers have spoken with Mr Ross. No complaint has been made and suitable advice was given." The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
