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THIS week's Holyrood business has been overshadowed by an alleged incident between Douglas Ross and Jamie Hepburn.
The former Scottish Tory leader and minister for parliamentary businesses both faced journalists on Thursday afternoon after Ross claimed that a confrontation had taken place.
So, what happened?
On Thursday, at the end of FMQs, the former Scottish Tory leader raised a point of order claiming that there had been an altercation the previous day.
Ross alleged that as he was leaving the Holyrood Chamber on Wednesday he was “physically assaulted and verbally abused” by Hepburn.
He called on the First Minister to make a statement that he has a “zero tolerance approach to threatening and intimidating behaviour”.
In response, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone said it was a "very serious allegation" that should be dealt with “through the appropriate processes”.
She said that in the first instance the commissioner for ethical standards and public life in Scotland would investigate, adding that she “must avoid any comments” in case recommendations made through any complaint eventually comes to the Chamber.
What led to the incident?
Following the final debate on the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, Ross and Hepburn clashed over a business motion.
While MSPs were agreeing next week’s parliamentary agenda, Ross pushed for a ministerial statement ahead of Jim Fairlie’s summit on seagulls.
He called the minister for agriculture's summit a “sham and a farce”, as politicians and the press had not been invited, and said plans to livestream it had been ditched.
Hepburn interjected to urge Ross to speak to the business motion, adding that he had “not had any request sent to me for a statement on the matter”.
Ross pressed on and said he had not previously requested a ministerial statement, but topical and urgent question requests had not been selected.
The Presiding Officer also pointed out that the discussion underway was “an opportunity to speak to items that members wish to see in a future business programme”.
Ross insisted he was doing so, and continued to claim the summit would not be independently chaired and is not at a “neutral venue” as it is being held at NatureScot’s headquarters.
He said that Fairlie should make a statement to Parliament next week and postpone the summit.
In response, Hepburn noted that the Tories have a new business manager, adding: “I cannot say that it speaks much for Mr Ross’s confidence in him that he decided not to speak to his business manager about raising the matter with me.”
Tory MSP Stephen Kerr could then be heard saying “grow up”, followed by Hepburn adding that he had not had a “single representation” from the Tory business manager on the issue.
What happened after Ross’s point of order?
The story continued into Thursday afternoon as the First Minister, Ross and Hepburn answered questions from journalists in the Holyrood lobby.
Swinney told the media that he was unaware of the incident, but would "consider these matters". The First Minister was in Windsor on Wednesday for the state banquet held for US President Donald Trump.
Ross gave further details of the alleged incident shortly afterwards. He claimed Hepburn "held on" while the pair left the Chamber, while "continually swearing" and getting "more aggressive".
He said he had reported the incident to the Scottish Parliament's chief executive, that he would be speaking to police on Thursday afternoon, adding that Hepburn should be sacked for breaching the ministerial code.
Later, Hepburn would speak to journalists, admitting that he had put his hand on Ross’s shoulder, but denying that he had hurt him.
He said: "So yesterday, yeah, I put my hand on his shoulder and probably used a few choice words I shouldn't have. That's it."
STV's Colin Mackay put it to Hepburn that he had told Ross "you and your f****** statements, so many f****** statements, too many f****** statements", in regards to the exchange on the way out of the Chamber on Wednesday.
"I used some words that I probably shouldn't have," Hepburn said, admitting he had used “industrious language”.
“I think he spoke to the business motion in a way that he shouldn’t have, but I recognise I should have kept my cool and not used the words I shouldn’t have,” Hepburn added.
He did not respond to questions on whether he would be handing in his resignation to the First Minister.
Asked about the issue being reported to the police, Hepburn said: “Let’s wait and see what happens.”
What did the Scottish Parliament say?
We asked Holyrood officials if there was any CCTV of the incident, with the press office confirming that they did not on Thursday afternoon.
A spokesperson said the Scottish Parliament takes a “zero tolerance approach to bullying and harassment” and said that allegations of criminality should be reported 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,” they added.
“Where anyone considers that the conduct of a member hasn’t met the terms of the Code of Conduct, a complaint can be made to the commissioner for ethical standards in public life in Scotland.
“Complaints about the conduct of a member arising from their ministerial duties are dealt with under the Scottish Ministerial Code and are a matter for the First Minister.
“The Parliament has provided the member with advice on these avenues.”
What don’t we know?
Due to a lack of CCTV, it will be difficult to get the full story on what actually happened between the two MSPs, but that doesn’t rule out that a witness may come forward.
At the moment, it is just a case of what both men have said publicly. If Ross reports the incident to the commissioner for ethical standards in public life in Scotland, and police, then we will find out more in time. At time of writing, it is understood that Ross has not yet contacted the force.
Ross has already reported the incident to the Scottish Parliament’s chief executive, David McGill, so it is likely that he will follow through.
It leaves a shadow hanging over Swinney and Hepburn – with the First Minister set to be dogged with questions over the incident in the coming weeks.
Whether Swinney will throw his weight behind Hepburn and keep him in his ministerial role, remains to be seen.
